THE     MASONIC    PORTRAIT    OF 

BROTHER  GENERAL  GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 

ORIGINAL  PASTEL  PORTRAIT  FROM  LIFE  BY  WILLIAM  WILLIAMS,  PHILADELPHIA,  SEPTEMBER 
1794,  PAINTED  AT  THE  REQUEST  OF  ALEXANDRIA  LODGE,  No.  39,  A.  Y.  M.,  WARRANTED  BY  THE 
GRAND  LODGE  OF  PENNSYLVANIA,  FEBRUARY  3,  1783,  NOW  THE  ALEXANDRIA-WASHINGTON  LODGE, 
No.  22,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.  OF  VIRGINIA.  REPRODUCTION  FROM  THE  UNIQUE  COPY  IN  THE  MUSEUM 
OF  THE  R.  W.  GRAND  LODGE,  F.  &  A.  M.  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

COPYRIGHTED    BY    ALEXANDRIA-WASHINGTON    LODGE,    No.    22,    VIRGINIA,    AND    PRINTED    BY    ITS    PERMISSION. 


AS   FOUND   AMONG   THE 

WASHINGTON  PAPERS 

IN  THE 

LIBRARY  OF  CONGRESS 


Compiled  from  the  original  records,  under  the  direction  of  the 
Committee  on  Library  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania,  with 
annotations. 

BY 

JULIUS  F.  SACHSE 

LIBRARIAN,  MASONIC  TEMPLE  PHILADELPHIA 


PHILADELPHIA 

1915 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress  in  the  year  1915,  in  the  Office  of 

the  Librarian  of  Congress  at  Washington,  D.  C.,  by  J.  HENRY 

WILLIAMS,  R.W.G.M. 


COMMITTEE  ON  LIBRARY 

JOHN  WANAMAKER,  Chairman, 
SAMUEL  W.  LATTA, 
NORRIS  S.  BARRATT, 
HARMAN  YERKES, 
HENRY  DARRACH, 
WALTER  T.  TAGGART. 

JULIUS  F.  SACHSE,  Librarian. 


An  Edition  of  One  Thousand  Copies  has  been  printed,  of 
which  this  is  No. 


PRESS  OF 

THE  NEW  ERA  PRINTING  COMPANY 
LANCASTER,  PA. 


322606 


The  position  of  eminence,  the  great  respect  and  the  pro 
found  reverence  in  which  the  name  of  WASHINGTON  is  en 
shrined  in  the  hearts  of  the  American  people,  and  particularly 
so,  with  the  members  of  this  Fraternity,  and  of  all  true  lovers 
of  liberty  and  freedom  wheresoever  dispersed,  is  the  reason,  if 
any  be  needed,  why  everything  relating  to  this  great  man  and 
worthy  brother  should  be  preserved  for  the  future  generations, 
to  be  used  by  them  as  a  guide,  in  the  cultivation  of  those  car 
dinal  virtues  of  Honor  and  Integrity,  that  should  ever  charac 
terize  the  conduct  of  a  good  man  and  a  good  Mason. 

The  collection  and  reproduction  of  the  letters  of  Brother 
WASHINGTON,  together  with  the  text  of  this  book,  have  been 
prepared  under  my  supervision,  and  its  publication  is  heartily 
approved. 


Grand  Master. 
FEBRUARY  22,  A.D.  1915-A.L.  5915. 


CONTENTS. 

PAGE 

Foreword    1 

The  Masonic  Correspondence  of  Washington 5 

I 

Correspondence  with  Watson  and  Cassoul 19 

II 

Correspondence  with  Alexandria  Lodge,  No.  39,  1783 .  .      28 

III 

Correspondence  with  Alexandria  Lodge,  No.  39,  1784 .  .      34 

IV 

Correspondence  with  King  David's  Lodge,  No.  1,  New 
port,  R.  I.,  1790 37 

V 

Correspondence  with  St.  John's  Lodge,  No.  2,  Newbern, 
N.  C.,  1791 44 

VI 

Correspondence  with  Prince  George's   Lodge,  No.   16, 
Georgetown,  S.  C.,  1791 51 


flDasonic  Correspon&ence  of  Wasbington 


Correspondence  with  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina, 

1791  .......................................     57 

VIII 
Correspondence  with  Grand  Lodge  of  Georgia,  1791  ...      65 

IX 
Correspondence    with   Grand    Lodge    of   Pennsylvania, 

1792  .......................................     69 

X 

Correspondence  with  Grand  Lodge  of  Massachusetts, 
1792  .......................................     80 

XI 

Correspondence   with    Grand    Lodge    of   Pennsylvania, 

1796  .......................................     86 

XII 
Correspondence  with  Alexandria  Lodge,  No.  22,  Virginia, 

1797  .......................................     95 

XIII 

Correspondence   with   Grand   Lodge   of   Massachusetts, 
1797  .......................................   102 

XIV 

Correspondence  with  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland,  1798.  .    Ill 

XV 

Correspondence  with  G.  W.  Snyder,  1798  ...........    117 

XVI 
Index    ........................................    141 

vi 


f»a$onfc  Gorrespon&ence  of  Masbington 

ILLUSTRATIONS 

PAGE 

Masonic  Portrait  of  Washington Frontispiece. 

J.  Henry  Williams,  R.  W.  Grand  Master iii 

Washington's  Headquarters  at  Newburgh 

on   the   Hudson Facing  page  22 

Wise's  Tavern,  Alexandria,  Virginia.  ...  35 

Moses  Michael  Hays  (Portrait) "          "  15 

Washington,  (Houdon  Portrait),  1786.  .  "         "  36 

Mordecai  Gist,   (Portrait)    "         "  57 

Residence    of    President    Washington    in 

Philadelphia "         "  69 

Fac-Simile  of  Address "         "  72 

Jonathan  Bayard  Smith,  (Portrait) "          "  76 

Rev.  William  Smith,  D.D.,  (Portrait)  ...  "         "  88 

Mount  Vernon,  1783-1799 "         "  95 

Paul  Revere,   (Portrait)    "          "  105 

Washington,  (St.  Memin  Portrait),  1798.  "          "  117 
Draft  of  Letter  to  Grand  Lodge 

of  Maryland    Between  pages  112-113 

Press  copy  of  Washington's  letter 

to  G.  W.  Snyder,  September  25, 

1798   "  "       124-125 

Press  copy  of  letter,  October  24, 

1798   .                                                     "  "       130-131 


vii 


FOREWORD 

WASHINGTON'S  Masonic  correspon 
dence  as  found  among  the  WASHING 
TON  papers  in  the  Manuscript  depart 
ment  of  the  Library  of  Congress, 
affords  an  insight  of  the  great  esteem  in  which 
Washington  held  the  Masonic  Fraternity,  of  which 
since  his  early  days  he  had  been  an  honored  member. 
This  is  further  shown  by  his  great  courtesy  to  the 
Brethren,  in  his  replies  to  their  addresses,  no  matter 
whether  they  were  from  a  Grand  or  Subordinate 
Lodge.  In  this  collection,  were  also  found  some  of 
the  original  drafts  of  WASHINGTON'S  replies,  together 
with  copies  of  the  various  masonic  addresses  and  let 
ters  to  him,  and  in  the  case  of  Dominie  Snyder,  press 
copies  of  his  answers. 

In  the  present  work  an  attempt  has  been  made  to 
group  this  matter  together  in  chronological  order, 
also  to  show  some  of  the  surroundings  and  conditions 
under  which  this  correspondence  was  made,  and  of 
the  Brethren  who  were  prominent  in  the  presentation 
2  1 


fiDasontc  Corre0pon&ence  of  Wasbtngton 

of  these  Eleven  Addresses,  which  came  to  him  from 
Seven  of  the  Thirteen  Colonies. 

A  complete  set  of  photostatic  fac-similes  of  these 
documents  in  the  Library  of  Congress,  has  been 
secured  for  the  Museum  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Pennsylvania.  Efforts  were  also  made  to  obtain 
photographic  copies  of  such  of  the  WASHINGTON 
Masonic  letters  as  were  still  in  existence,  which  were 
successful  except  in  two  instances  as  noted  in  the 
text. 

It  will  be  noted  that  on  April  30,  1789,  Washing 
ton,  while  Master  of  his  Lodge,  was  inaugurated 
President  of  the  United  States;  this  is  the  only  in 
stance  where  one  of  the  fourteen  Presidents,  who 
were  Members  of  our  Fraternity  was  a  Master  of  a 
Lodge  during  their  term  as  President. 

The  esteem  in  which  WASHINGTON  held  the  Ma 
sonic  Fraternity,  is  shown  by  the  fact,  that  in  almost 
every  case  he  had  both  the  address  and  his  reply, 
copied  upon  opposite  pages  of  one  of  his  folio  letter- 
books,  now  in  the  Library  of  Congress.  These  copies 
are  respectively  in  the  handwriting  of  WASHINGTON'S 
private  secretaries,  viz: —  Major  William  Jackson: 
Tobias  Lear:  Bartholomew  Dandridge  and  G.  W. 
Craik. 

In  addition  to  the  above  copies  we  have  WASHING 
TON'S  original  drafts  of  his  letters  to  Watson  and 
Cassoul,  to  the  Grand  Lodges  of  Massachusetts, 
South  Carolina,  and  Maryland,  to  Paul  Revere,  and 

2 


Wneration  of  Washington 


as  before  stated  press  copies  of  his  answers  to  Mr. 
Snyder. 

A  perusal  of  these  original  documents,  as  here  pre 
sented,  affords  an  excellent  illustration  of  the  entente 
cordiale,  which  existed  between  WASHINGTON  and 
his  Masonic  Brethren. 

Upon  the  other  hand,  how  the  Masonic  Fraternity, 
during  WASHINGTON'S  lifetime,  venerated  their  august 
Brother,  is  shown  by  the  addresses  of  this  correspon 
dence  as  retained  by  WASHINGTON. 

Also  by  the  various  Masonic  Memorial  services 
held,  after  WASHINGTON'S  death,  the  chief  of  which 
was  in  Philadelphia,  under  the  auspices  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Pennsylvania.  The  Masonic  services  held 
in  every  State  of  the  Union,  the  many  Eulogies  and 
Sermons  delivered  and  printed  are  matters  of  history. 

How  this  veneration  of  the  great  WASHINGTON 
continued  during  the  past  years,  is  shown  by  the  fact 
that  there  are  no  less  than  53  Masonic  Lodges  in  the 
United  States,  named  after  the  illustrious  Brother. 
This  is  independent  of  the  numerous  Royal  Arch 
Chapters,  Commanderies,  and  other  Masonic  bodies, 
that  bear  the  name  "WASHINGTON." 

Washington  Lodges  are  found  in  thirty-eight  of 
the  forty-eight  States  of  the  American  Union. 

The  other  ten  States,  which  thus  far  have  no 
"  Washington  Lodge "  within  their  Jurisdiction,  are 
Mississippi  and  Texas,  together  with  the  newer  west 
ern  States  lately  admitted  into  the  American  Union, 

3 


fiDasontc  Correspon&ence  of  Wasbineton 


viz:  —  Nevada,  North  Dakota,  Montana,  Idaho, 
Wyoming,  Utah,  New  Mexico  and  Arizona. 

In  addition  to  the  fifty-three  Washington  Lodges, 
there  is  also  one  each  in  Canada,  the  Island  of  Cuba 
and  the  District  of  Columbia. 

In  the  Masonic  Fraternity  throughout  the  world, 
the  name  of  WASHINGTON  is  ever  kept  in  remem 
brance,  as  one  of  the  brightest  luminaries  in  the 
Masonic  constellation,  one  of  the  most  prominent  ex 
amples,  being  his  full  length  oil  portrait  in  Masonic 
clothing  in  the  Hall  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England 
at  London. 

Acknowledgments  are  due  to  the  Hon.  Herbert 
Putnam,  Librarian  of  Congress,  for  placing  these 
documents  at  the  disposal  of  the  writer,  and  giving 
permission  to  have  photostat  copies  made  of  same; 
also  to  J.  Henry  Williams,  Esq.,  R.  W.  Grand 
Master  of  Masons  in  Pennsylvania  and  Masonic 
Jurisdiction  thereunto  belonging,  for  suggestions  and 
encouragement  in  the  preparation  of  this  work. 


PHILADELPHIA,  FEBRUARY  22,  A.D.  1915-A.L.  5915. 


The  Masonic  Correspondence 
of  Washington 


UCH  has  been  written  pro  and  con 
about  WASHINGTON  and  his  connec 
tion  with  the  Masonic  Fraternity. 
Thus  far  no  complete  set  of  his  Ma 
sonic  writings  have  been  compiled  or  published. 
Such  portions  as  have  been  printed  were  fragmen 
tary,  and  issued  for  what  may  be  called  local 
purposes. 

How  careful  WASHINGTON  was  of  his  Masonic 
correspondence  is  shown  by  the  fact  that  he  had 
copies  made,  in  his  private  letter  books,  of  most  all 
letters  sent  him  by  the  various  Masonic  Grand  and 
Subordinate  bodies,  and  his  answers  thereto,  usually 
upon  opposite  pages.  He  thus  had  both  the  ad 
dresses  and  his  reply  at  hand  for  easy  reference. 
This  fact  shows  the  esteem  in  which  WASHINGTON 

5 


fiDasontc  Correspon&ence  of  Washington 

held  his  Brethren  of  the  Masonic  Fraternity,  as  well 
as  his  own  opinion  of  Freemasonry. 

These  letter-books  are  now  in  the  Library  of  Con 
gress,  and  photostat  copies  of  such  as  relate  to  Free 
masonry  have  been  made  for  the  Library  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania. 

As  to  the  authenticity  of  the  Washington  Letter 
Books,  and  how  they  came  into  the  possession  of  the 
United  States  Government  is  explained  by  the  fol 
lowing  statement  by  Mr.  Galliard  Hunt,  chief 
Manuscript  division,  Library  of  Congress:1 

"  They  are  a  part  of  the  Washington  papers  in 
"the  Government's  possession,  purchased  from  the 
"Washington  family,  one  lot  in  1834  and  the  re- 
"mainder  in  1849,  and  deposited  in  the  Department 
"of  State  until  1903,  when,  by  the  President's  order, 
"they  were  sent  to  this  Library.  They  range  in 
"date  from  1754  to  1799.  Some  of  them  are  partly 
"  or  wholly  in  Washington's  hand- writing,  and  others 
"in  the  writing  of  his  secretaries  and  their  clerks. 
"  There  are  no  volumes  of  press  copies,  but  there  are 
"  some  press  copies  among  the  papers." 

WASHINGTON  in  writing  his  answer  to  the  various 
greetings,  in  most  cases  would  first  make  a  rough 
copy  of  his  reply,  then  digest,  alter,  correct  or  change 
such  parts  or  sentences  as  he  thought  proper.  Then 

i  Letter  to  Julius  F.  Sachse  from  Manuscript  Division,  December  19, 
1914 — in  Library  of  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania. 

6 


Original  2>rafts 


after  deliberate  consideration,  a  fair  copy  would  be 
made  either  by  WASHINGTON  or  one  of  his  Secre 
taries  and  signed  by  him,  and  sent  to  the  Masonic 
bodies  for  which  they  were  intended. 

Fortunately  some  of  the  original  drafts  of  these 
Masonic  letters  have  come  down  to  us;  thus  far  five 
autographic  copies  have  been  found  among  the 
Washington  papers  in  the  Library  of  Congress  at 
Washington. 

1.  Draft  of  letter  written  at  Newburg,  New  York, 
August  19,  1782,  to  Watson  and  Cassoul  of  Nantes, 
France,  thanking  them  for  the  Masonic  Apron,  em 
broidered  by  the  nuns  at  Nantes,  and  which  is  now 
in  possession  of  Alexandria- Washington  Lodge,  No. 
22,  at  Alexandria,  Virginia. 

2.  To  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Massachusetts. 

3.  To  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania. - 

4.  To  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina. 

5.  To  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland;  this  draft 
is  a  two-page  letter  written  upon  a  letter  sheet  and 
shows  many  changes  and  corrections;   it  is  dated 
1798. 

In  addition  to  the  above  original  drafts  there  were 
found  several  addresses  and  the  accompanying  an 
swers,  which  thus  far  have  never  been  published,  in 
fact  no  mention  of  them  has  ever  appeared  in  print, 
viz: — 

1.  An  address  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Georgia, 
together  with  WASHINGTON'S  reply. 


f»a0onic  Correspon&ence  of  Washington 

2.  A  letter  to  Paul  Revere,   Grand  Master  of 
Massachusetts  and  his  Grand  Officers. 

3.  An    address    from    the    Brethren    of    Prince 
George's  Lodge,  No.  16,  Georgetown,  South  Caro 
lina,  presented  to  President  WASHINGTON  during 
his  visit  to  South  Carolina,  April  30,  1791,  also  his 
reply  to  same. 

4.  An  address  from  the  Brethren  of  St.  John's 
Lodge,  No.  2,  of  Newbern,  North  Carolina,  and  the 
reply  to  same. 

Photostat  copies  of  the  above  have  also  been  ob 
tained  which  make  the  most  complete  collection  of 
the  Masonic  Correspondence  of  WASHINGTON  which 
has  thus  far  been  compiled. 

A  careful  study  of  this  correspondence  so  care 
fully  cherished  by  WASHINGTON  puts  an  entirely  new 
phase  upon  WASHINGTON'S  connection  with  the  Ma 
sonic  Fraternity,  and  his  esteem  of  Freemasonry. 

These  papers  absolutely  thrust  aside  all  of  the 
statements,  arguments  and  libels,  brought  forth  by 
our  misguided  enemies  at  the  time  of  the  Anti- 
Masonic  craze  during  the  last  century,  and  in  a  small 
way  kept  alive  even  down  to  the  present  day  by 
some  people  who  are  blinded  by  their  ignorance  or 
malice. 

Referring  to  some  of  their  published  statements 
that  WASHINGTON  never  belonged  to  the  Masonic 
Fraternity,  and  that  there  were  no  authentic  Masonic 
letters  nor  copies  thereof  among  his  records  so  fre- 


TRitner's  "  Wn&icatfon 


quently  made  during  the  political  Anti-Masonic 
craze,  which  swept  over  New  England  and  the  Mid 
dle  States  about  eighty-five  years  ago,  the  following 
quotations  from  the  Masonic  literature  of  the  period 
will  prove  interesting  examples. 

One  of  the  chief  statements  made  by  these  people, 
and  brought  before  all  their  conventions  and  heralded 
in  the  public  prints  was:  "That  though  General 
Washington  caused  to  be  carefully  copied  in  books 
kept  for  that  purpose,  all  his  letters  on  every  sub 
ject,  no  trace  whatever  of  any  of  the  five  letters 
under  consider ation,la  nor  any  letters  to  any  other 
Lodge  or  Masonic  body  whatever,  are  to  be  found 
among  the  records  of  his  correspondence."2 

The  chief  authority  upon  whom  the  leaders  of  the 
Anti-Masonic  movement  at  that  time  depended  in 
their  defamation  of  WASHINGTON,  was  Jared  Sparks 
of  Boston,  who  at  the  time  was  engaged  writing  a 
life  of  WASHINGTON,,  and  then  had  access  to  all  the 
Washington  letter-books  and  papers,  and  from  his 
connection  with  the  Washington  correspondence,  was 


ia  The  letters  referred  to  by  the  Anti-Masons  were  the  one  to  King 
David's  Lodge  at  Newport,  two  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Massachusetts, 
and  one  to  Charleston,  S.  C.,  and  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania. 
The  above  five  Masonic  Letters  were  all  that  were  known  to  the  Anti- 
Masons  at  that  time. 

2  "  Vindication  |  of  |  General  Washington  |  from  the  stigma  |  of  adher 
ence  to  Secret  Societies  |  by  |  Joseph  Ritner  |  Governor  of  the  Common 
wealth  of  Pennsylvania,  communicated  |  by  |  request  of  the  House  of 
Representatives,  to  that  body,|  on  the  8th  of  March,  1837." 

This  address  during  the  Anti-Masonic  period  was  regarded  as  an  im 
portant  state  paper, 

9 


flDasonic  Correspondence  of  Washington 

supposed  to  be  the  best  qualified  to  pass  upon  their 
authenticity. 

Another  of  the  charges  made  by  the  Anti-Masonic 
bigots  whose  chief  object  was  to  controvert  facts 
was: 

"That  although  WASHINGTON  was  extremely 
scrupulous  in  preserving  his  correspondence  with  all 
public  or  private  bodies,  there  is  not  a  line  of  his 
relating  to  Freemasonry,  to  be  found  among  all 
his  papers,  except  the  correspondence  with  Mr. 
Snyder!3  It  is  also  a  fact,  that  WASHINGTON  was 
equally  scrupulous  in  dating  his  letters,  and  it  is 
believed  that  not  one  can  be  found,  which  is  without 
a  date."4 

It  appears  that  the  chairman  of  a  committee  of 
citizens  of  Boston  called  upon  the  officers  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  Massachusetts  to  submit  their  two 
Washington  letters  to  Jared  Sparks  for  his  inspec 
tion.  This  the  Grand  Officers  refused  to  do. 

In  return  Sparks  sent  the  following  letter  to  the 
Chairman: 

"BOSTON,  February  18,  1833. 

"Sir, — I  received  this  morning  your  letter  of  the 
15th  instant,  in  which  you  inquire: 

"  Whether  I  have  yet  seen  or  had  in  my  possession 

3  Letter  press  copies  of  the  Snyder  letters  were  retained  by  WASHING 
TON.  Photostat  copies  of  same  are  in  the  Archives  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  Pennsylvania. 

*  "  Proceedings  of  the  Third  State  Anti-masonic  Convention,  of  Massa 
chusetts,  Worcester,  1832,"  p.  27. 

10 


3are&  Sparfcs 


any  original  letter  or  letters,  in  the  hand  writing  of 
General  Washington,  addressed  to  any  body  of  men 
denominating  themselves  Freemasons. 

"In  reply,  I  can  only  state  that  I  have  seen  no 
letters  from  General  Washington  of  the  kind  de 
scribed  in  yours,  nor  received  any  communication  on 
the  subject,  either  verbal  or  written.5 
"I  am,  Sir, 

16  Very  respectfully, 

"Your  ob't  servant, 
"JARED  SPARKS." 

How  Sparks  could  have  overlooked  the  numerous 
entries  in  the  letter  books  whose  numbers  and  folios 
are  here  quoted,  also  the  drafts  of  replies  in  WASH 
INGTON'S  hand-writing  and  signed  by  him  (copies  of 
which  are  here  given  in  this  work),  can  only  be  ac 
counted  for  by  the  fact  that  he  must  have  been  car 
ried  away  by  the  political  excitement  of  the  day. 

WASHINGTON'S  connection  with  the  Masonic  Fra 
ternity  has  been  exhaustively  traced  by  Brother 
James  M.  Lamberton,  Past  Master  of  Perseverance 
Lodge,  No.  21,  in  his  address  "WASHINGTON  AS 
A  FREEMASON,"  from  the  day  of  his  entrance  into 
Fredericksburg  Lodge,  No.  4,  of  Virginia,  Sep 
tember  1,  1752,  until  the  day  of  his  death,  Decem 
ber  14,  1799,  before  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Penn 
sylvania,  at  its  celebration  of  the  Sesqui- Centennial 

5  Vindication  of  Washington  before  quoted,  p.  13. 

11 


flDasontc  Correspon&ence  of  Masbineton 

Anniversary  of  the  Initiation  of  Brother  GEORGE 
WASHINGTON  into  the  Fraternity  of  Freemasons,6 
held  in  the  Masonic  Temple,  in  the  city  of  Phila 
delphia  on  Wednesday,  November  5,  1902. 

It  must  also  be  remembered  that  WASHINGTON 
made  a  public  profession  of  his  membership  in  Phila 
delphia,  Monday,  December  28,  1778,  when  he 
walked  in  procession  with  his  brethren  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Pennsylvania,  from  the  College  at  Fourth 
and  Arch  Streets  to  Christ  Church  on  Second  Street 
above  Market  Street,  Philadelphia,  where,  after  a 
prayer  by  Rev.  William  White,  a  sermon  was 
preached  for  the  "[Benefit  of  the  POOR]  by  ap 
pointment  of  and  before  ]  The  General  Communica 
tion  |  of  |  Free  and  Accepted  |  MASONS  |  of  the  | 
State  of  PENNSYLVANIA,  |  on  Monday,  De 
cember  28,  1788,  |  Celebrated,  agreeable  to  their  Con 
stitution,  |  as  the  Anniversary  of  |  ST.  JOHN  the 
Evangelist,  |  by  William  Smith,  D.D.,  |  Provost  of 
the  College  and  Academy  of  Philadelphia."  | 

This  Sermon  was  printed  and  dedicated  to  Brother 
WASHINGTON  and  a  copy  sent  to  him,  which  was 
bound  with  other  pamphlets  in  a  volume  lettered 
"Masonic  Sermons,"  and  is  so  mentioned  in  the  in 
ventory  of  his  estate  and  now  in  the  Boston  Athe- 

6  The  Ancient  Minute  Book  and  Ledger  of  Fredricksburg  Lodge, 
No.  4,  in  Virginia,  of  which  we  have  a  photostat,  is  still  in  possession  of 
the  Lodge,  showing  that  "  GEORGE  WASHINGTON-  was  entered  November 
4,  1752,  and  on  November  6,  paid  for  his  entrance  £2.  3.  0,  March  3,  1753, 
GEORGE  WASHINGTON  was  passed  to  Fellow-Craft;  August  4,  1753,  GEORGE 
WASHINGTON  was  raised  Master  Mason." 

12 


Sermons  b?  IRev.  Miliiam  Smitb 

naeum.7  At  this  service  over  four  hundred  pounds 
were  collected  for  the  relief  of  the  poor. 

Rev.  Brother  William  Smith,  D.D.,  preached  a 
number  of  Masonic  Sermons  in  Pennsylvania,  Dela 
ware  and  Maryland;  three  of  which  delivered  at  the 
request  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania  were 
printed,  viz.: 

Sermon  1. — On  Brotherly  Love,  &c.  Preached 
on  the  Anniversary  of  St.  John  the  Baptist,  June 
24,  1755, 

Sermon  2. — Preached  on  Monday,  December  28, 
1778,  celebrated  as  the  Anniversary  of  St.  John  the 
Evangelist.  With  an  Appendix  on  the  Character 
of  Lucius  Quintius  Cincinnatus, 

Sermon  3. — Preached  before  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Communication,  on  St.  John  the  Baptist's  day,  June 
24,  1795. 

Original  copies  of  the  above  are  in  the  Library 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania. 

Rev.  Brother  Smith  reprinted  the  above  in  a 
Volume  of  Sermons  with  the  following  note:8 

"N.  B.  The  above  three  Sermons  were  preached 
at  the  request  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Communica 
tion,  for  Pennsylvania,  and  contains  in  substance  all 
that  the  Author  thinks  it  necessary  to  bequeath  to 

7  Catalogue  of  Washington  Collection  in  Boston  Athenaeum,  Boston, 
1897,  p.  185. 

s  Cf.  "  Works  of  William  Smith,  D.D.,"  Philadelphia,  1803,  Vol.  II, 
pp.  27-88,  also  "  Life  and  Correspondence  of  Rev.  William  Smith,  D.D.," 
Philadelphia,  1880,  Vol.  II,  p.  9.  Et  seq. 

13 


fiDasonic  Correspondence  of  Washington 

the  Brotherhood,  by  way  of  Sermons,  preached  at 
different  times  and  in  sundry  of  the  neighboring 
States,  during  48  Years  past." 

By  referring  to  the  following  letters  and  Docu 
ments  it  is  shown  that  WASHINGTON'S  interest  in 
Freemasonry  and  the  Fraternity  continued  until  the 
time  of  his  death. 

These  documents  cover  the  period  from  1782  to 
1798. 

As  these  copies  in  our  possession  are  photostat 
fac-similes  of  the  original  documents  in  the  Library 
of  Congress,  there  can  never  be  any  question  of  cor 
rectness  or  of  their  authenticity. 

The  finding  and  collating  of  this  material  will 
settle  for  all  time  to  come  the  question  of  Washing 
ton's  connection  with  the  Ancient  Fraternity,  and 
his  opinion  and  esteem  of  Freemasonry. 

The  earliest  record  we  have  of  any  Masonic  Body 
proposing  a  masonic  address  to  General  WASHING 
TON,  was  the  resolution  offered  in  King  David's 
Lodge,  No.  1,  at  Newport,  Rhode  Island,  during 
WASHINGTON'S  visit  to  Newport  in  March,  1781, 
while  the  French  Army  under  Rochambeau  was 
quartered  there.  WASHINGTON  arrived  in  Newport 
on  the  sixth  of  March  and  remained  there  until  the 
thirteenth,  when  he  left  for  Providence  by  way  of 
Bristol. 

It  was  in  anticipation  of  this  visit  that  the  Breth 
ren  of  King  David's  Lodge,  of  which  Brother  Moses 

14 


W.    M.    KING    DAVID'S    LODGE,    No.    1,    NEWPORT,    R.    I.,    1780-1781. 
GRAND     MASTER    OF    MASONS    IN    MASSACHUSETTS,    1788-1793. 


flDoees  flMcbsd  t>aff 


Michael  Hays9  was  Worshipful  blaster,  that  a  ma 
sonic  greeting  to  General  ^GTOK    was  pro 
posed.     The  follown             y  from  the  old  Minute 
Book  of  the  Lodge                      n  why  the  pro 
failed  to  material! 

EXTRACT  FIK  OHJIS  OF  KINO  DAVID'S 

LODGE. 

"Regi  night,  held  at  the  house  of  Mr. 

Jame&  .nesday  evening,  the  7th  February, 

178L     >T*1. 

••«m  being  made  that  as  our  worthy  brother, 
ncy  General  VVrashington,  was  daily  ex 
isted  amongst  us,  a  committee  should  be  appointed 
to  prepare  an  address  in  behalf  of  the  Lodge,  to  pre 
sent  him.  Voted,  That  the  Right  Worshipful  Mas 
ter  (Moses  Michael  Hays)  together  with  brothers 
Seixas,  Peleg  Clark,  John  Handy,  and  Robert 
Elliot,  be  a  committee  for  that  purpose,  and  that 
they  present  the  same  to  this  Lodge  at  their  next 
meeting  for  their  approbation/* 

44  At  a  Lodge  held  by  request  of  the  Right  Wor 
shipful  Master,  Feb.  14th,  1781.     5781, 

*  The  committee  appointed  to  draught  an  addnw 
to  our  worthy  brother,  His  Excellency  G<  -  .  raJ 
Washington,  report,  that  on  inquiry  the >  en- 

eral  Washington  not  to  be  a  Grand' Master  of  North 

»  For  an  exhaustive  sketch  of  Brother  Mom*  M!«rwfv  Hays,  see  The 
American  Freemason,  Vol.  V,  p,  576. 

15 


W.    M.    KING    DAVID'S    LODGE,    No.    1,    NEWPORT,    R.    I.,    1780-1781. 
GRAND    MASTER    OF    MASONS    IN    MASSACHUSETTS,    1788-1793. 


HDoses  fliMcbael 


Michael  Hays9  was  Worshipful  Master,  that  a  ma 
sonic  greeting  to  General  WASHINGTON  was  pro 
posed.  The  following  entry  from  the  old  Minute 
Book  of  the  Lodge  will  explain  why  the  project 
failed  to  materialize. 

EXTRACT  FROM  THE  RECORDS  OF  KING  DAVID'S 

LODGE. 

"Regular  Lodge  night,  held  at  the  house  of  Mr. 
James  Tew,  Wednesday  evening,  the  7th  February, 
1781.  5781. 

"  A  motion  being  made  that  as  our  worthy  brother, 
his  Excellency  General  Washington,  was  daily  ex 
pected  amongst  us,  a  committee  should  be  appointed 
to  prepare  an  address  in  behalf  of  the  Lodge,  to  pre 
sent  him.  Voted,  That  the  Right  Worshipful  Mas 
ter  (Moses  Michael  Hays)  together  with  brothers 
Seixas,  Peleg  Clark,  John  Handy,  and  Robert 
Elliot,  be  a  committee  for  that  purpose,  and  that 
they  present  the  same  to  this  Lodge  at  their  next 
meeting  for  their  approbation." 

"  At  a  Lodge  held  by  request  of  the  Right  Wor 
shipful  Master,  Feb.  14th,  1781.  5781, 

"  The  committee  appointed  to  draught  an  address 
to  our  worthy  brother,  His  Excellency  General 
Washington,  report,  that  on  inquiry  they  find  Gen 
eral  Washington  not  to  be  a  Grand  Master  of  North 

»  For  an  exhaustive  sketch  of  Brother  Moses  Michael  Hays,  see  The 
American  Freemason,  Vol.  V,  p.  576. 

15 


fiDasontc  Correspondence  of  Wasbington 

America;  as  was  supposed,  nor  even  Master  of  any 
particular  Lodge.  They  are,  therefore,  of  opinion 
that  this  Lodge  would  not  choose  to  address  him  as 
a  private  brother  at  the  same  time,  think  it  would 
not  be  agreeable  to  our  worthy  brother  to  be  ad 
dressed  as  such. 

"Voted,  That  the  report  of  the  committee  be  re 
ceived,  and  that  the  address  be  entirely  laid  aside  for 
the  present."10 

Now  as  to  the  cause  for  this  uncertainty  how  to 
address  Brother  WASHINGTON,  it  will  be  recalled 
that  just  at  that  time,  the  proposition  sent  out  by  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania  nominating  General 
WASHINGTON  as  Grand  Master  of  all  the  Colonies, 
was  then  before  the  various  grand  bodies,  but  did  not 
find  favor  in  New  England,  in  fact  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  Massachusetts  was  the  chief  objector,  and  finally 
defeated  the  scheme  to  elect  WASHINGTON  the  Grand 
Master  General.11 

The  means  of  intercourse  between  the  different 

10  "Newport,  ss.  Newport,  August  18th,  A.D.  1832.  I  certify  that 
the  extracts  taken  from  the  records  of  King  David's  Lodge,  Newport, 
contained  in  the  above  and  three  foregoing  pages,  have  been  by  me  com 
pared  with  the  minutes  contained  in  two  books  purporting  and  appear 
ing  to  be  the  original  records  of  said  Lodge,  and  found  to  be  true  and 
accurate  copies  of  the  same. 

"Quid   attestor,  "  GEO.   C.  MASON. 

"Jus.  Peace  and  Pub.  Not'y." 

Cf .  "  Antimasonic  Republican  Convention  of  Massachusetts  held  at 
Worcester,  September  5-6,  1832,"  p.  23. 

n  For  a  full  account  of  this  episode,  see  "  Freemasonry  in  Pennsyl 
vania,"  Barratt  and  Sachse,  Philadelphia,  1908,  Vol.  1,  Chapter  XII; 
"  WASHINGTON  as  General  Grand  Master,"  p.  393  et  seq. 

16 


Xetters  an& 


Masonic  Bodies  at  that  early  day  were  so  limited  and 
uncertain  that  it  offers  a  clear  explanation  for  the 
uncertainty  under  which  the  brethren  of  King 
David's  Lodge,  No.  1,  at  Newport  labored  at  that 
time. 

During  the  Anti-Masonic  craze  in  the  last  cen 
tury,  the  above  minute  was  extensively  used  by  the 
political  leaders  of  the  Anti-Masonic  party  to 
strengthen  their  claim  that  WASHINGTON  had  never 
presided  over  any  Masonic  Lodge. 

Following  is  a  complete  list  of  the  Washington 
Masonic  Correspondence,  thus  far  found  among  the 
Washington  papers  in  the  Library  of  Congress. 

Draft  of  Letter  to  Watson  and  Cassoul,  Nantes, 
France,  August  10,  1782. 

Letter  to  Alexandria  Lodge,  No.  39,  Virginia, 
December  28,  1783. 

Address  from  King  David's  Lodge,  No.  1,  Rhode 
Island,  August  17,  1790,  and  WASHINGTON'S  Reply. 

Address  from  St.  John's  Lodge,  No.  2,  Newbern, 
North  Carolina,  April  20,  1791,  and  his  reply. 

Address  from  Prince  George's  Lodge  (Moderns) 
Georgetown,  South  Carolina,  April  30,  1791,  and 
his  reply. 

Draft  of  reply  to  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina, 
May  5,  1791. 

Address  from  Grand  Lodge  of  Georgia,  May  14, 
1791,  and  his  reply. 

3  17 


flDasonic  Correspondence  of  Masbinston 

Address  from  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania, 
March,  1792,  and  his  reply. 

Address  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Massachusetts, 
December  27,  1792,  and  his  reply. 

Address  from  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania,  De 
cember  27,  1796,  and  his  reply. 

Address  from  Alexandria  Lodge,  No.  22,  Vir 
ginia,  April,  4,  1797,  and  his  reply. 

Letter  to  Paul  Revere  and  Grand  Officers,  April 
24,  1797. 

Draft  of  Letter  to  Grand  Lodge  of  Massachusetts 
in  reply  to  an  address,  April  1797. 

Draft  of  a  reply  to  an  address  from  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Maryland,  November  8,  1798. 

Letter  from  G.  W.  Snyder  to  WASHINGTON, 
August  22,  1798. 

WASHINGTON'S  Reply  to  Snyder,  September  25, 
1798. 

WASHINGTON'S  Reply  to  Snyder's  letter  of  Octo 
ber  17,  1798. 


18 


ELKANAH     WATSON, 
e   SIYMOUTH,  MASS.,  JANUARY  22,  1758,  D.  AT  PORT  KENT,  N.  v.,  DECEMBER  B, 


'*rHO.  TOGETHER  WITH   HIS  PARTNER  CASSOUL,  PRESENTED  TO  WASHINGTON  A 
*^HON   MADE  BY  THE   NUNS  AT  NANTES,  FRANCE. 

NOW  IN  THE   POSSESSION  OF  ALEXANDRIA-WASHINGTON  ICOGE,   NO.   22, 


CORRESPONDENCE  WITH  WATSON  &  CASSOUL, 
NANTES,  FRANCE,  AUGUST,  1782. 

earliest  letter  of  General  GEORGE 
WASHINGTON  of  Masonic  Import  known 
is  the  one  written  while  in  camp  at  New- 
burgh  in  New  York,  dated  State  of  New 
York,  August  10,  1782,  to  the  firm  of  Watson  and 
Cassoul  in  Nantes,  France,  in  which  his  friend, 
Brother  Elkanah  Watson  was  the  chief  partner, 
thanking  the  firm  for  the  Masonic  Apron  and  orna 
ments  sent  him  from  Nantes,  France. 

This  apron  is  now  in  the  possession  of  the  Alex 
andria-Washington  Lodge,  No.  22,  at  Alexandria, 
Virginia. 

Elkanah  Watson  in  his  Memoirs  states:13 

"  Wishing  to  pay  some  mark  of  respect  to  our  be 
loved  Washington,  I  employed,  in  conjunction  with 
my  friend  M.  Cossoul,  nuns  in  one  of  the  convents 

is  "  Men  and  Times  of  the  Revolution,  or  Memoirs  of  Elkanah  Wat 
son,"  New  York,  1856,  pp.  135,  136. 

19 


fiDasomc  Correspondence  ot  Washington 

at  Nantes  to  prepare  some  elegant  Masonic  orna 
ments,  and  gave  them  a  plan  for  combining  the 
American  and  French  Flags  on  the  apron  designed 
for  this  use.  They  were  executed  in  a  superior  and 
expensive  style.  We  transmitted  them  to  America, 
accompanied  by  an  appropriate  address." 

By  the  above  extract  is  shown  beyond  all  doubt 
the  error  in  the  statement  so  repeatedly  made,  that 
the  apron  at  Alexandria  is  the  one  made  by  the 
Marquise  de  Lafayette,  and  presented  to  WASHING 
TON  by  General  Lafayette,  during  his  visit  to 
Mount  Vernon  in  1784,  and  the  one  in  the  Museum 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania,  that  of  Wat 
son  and  Cassoul.14 

Following  letter  was  sent  to  WASHINGTON,  to 
gether  with  the  Masonic  Apron  and  "Ornaments," 
by  Messrs.  Watson  and  Cassoul,  from  France  under 
date  "east  of  Nantes,"  23d  1st  Month,  5782.15 

"  To  HIS  EXCELLENCY,  GENEKAL  WASHINGTON, 

AMERICA. 
"Most  Illustrious  and  Respected  Brother: 

"  In  the  moment  when  all  Europe  admire  and  feel 
the  effects  of  your  glorious  efforts  in  support  of 
American  liberty,  we  hasten  to  offer  for  your  accept 
ance  a  small  pledge  of  our  homage.  Zealous  lovers 
of  liberty  and  its  institutions,  we  have  experienced 

i*  Cf .  "  Proceedings  Grand  Lodge  of  New  York,"  1867,  p.  28. 
is  "  Memoirs  of  Elkanah  Watson,"  p.  135. 

20 


flDasonic  Hpron  an&  ©rnamente 

the  most  refined  joy  in  seeing  our  chief  and  brother 
stand  forth  in  its  defence,  and  in  defence  of  a  new 
born  nation  of  Republicans. 

"Your  glorious  career  will  not  be  confined  to  the 

•~*-~^*-^'t4-im^ f*£ A  y*->/->-irir»ri:EX        liVi/af-tlT          V>ii-i-        -i-t-o 1 1 1  "fr  i  m  O  "fr/a 


NOTE: — The  Masonic  Apron  presented  by  Watson 
&  Cassoul  to  General  Washington,  August  1782,  is 
now  in  possession  of  Alexandria- Washington  Lodge, 
No.  22,  at  Alexandria,  Virginia.  No  sketch  or 
photograph  of  same  could  be  obtained  for  use  in  this 
work. 


numbers." 

"Your  affectionate  brothers, 

"WATSON  &  CASSOUL." 
"  East  of  Nantes,  23d  1st  Month,  5782." 

Owing  to  the  uncertain  intercourse  between  the 
two  countries,  it  was  almost  seven  months  before 
Brother  WASHINGTON  received  the  Masonic  apron, 
ornaments  and  letter  from  France.  He  at  that 
time  was  in  camp  with  the  army  at  Newburg  on  the 
Hudson.16 

In  reply  WASHINGTON  sent  the  following  auto 
graph  letter  to  the  donors  in  Nantes,  viz. : 

is  Cf.  "  Itinerary  of  General  WASHINGTON  from  June  15,  1775,  to 
December  23,  1783,"  by  William  S.  Baker,  Philadelphia,  1892,  p.  271. 

21 


fiDasomc  Correspon&ence  of  Washington 

at  Nantes  to  prepare  some  elegant  Masonic  orna 
ments,  and  gave  them  a  plan  for  combining  the 
American  and  French  Flags  on  the  apron  designed 
for  this  use.  They  were  executed  in  a  superior  and 


gether  with  the  Masonic  Apron  and  "Ornaments," 
by  Messrs.  Watson  and  Cassoul,  from  France  under 
date  "east  of  Nantes,"  23d  1st  Month,  5782.15 

"  To  HIS  EXCELLENCY,  GENERAL  WASHINGTON, 

AMERICA. 
"Most  Illustrious  and  Respected  Brother: 

"  In  the  moment  when  all  Europe  admire  and  feel 
the  effects  of  your  glorious  efforts  in  support  of 
American  liberty,  we  hasten  to  offer  for  your  accept 
ance  a  small  pledge  of  our  homage.  Zealous  lovers 
of  liberty  and  its  institutions,  we  have  experienced 

14 Cf.  "Proceedings  Grand  Lodge  of  New  York,"  1867,  p.  28. 
is  «  Memoirs  of  Elkanah  Watson,"  p.  135. 

20 


masonic  Hpron  ant)  ©rnaments 

the  most  refined  joy  in  seeing  our  chief  and  brother 
stand  forth  in  its  defence,  and  in  defence  of  a  new 
born  nation  of  Republicans. 

"Your  glorious  career  will  not  be  confined  to  the 
protection  of  American  liberty,  but  its  ultimate 
effect  will  extend  to  the  whole  human  family,  since 
Providence  has  evidently  selected  you  as  an  instru 
ment  in  his  hands,  to  fulfill  his  eternal  decrees. 

"It  is  to  you,  therefore,  the  glorious  orb  of 
America,  we  presume  to  offer  Masonic  ornaments, 
as  an  emblem  of  your  virtues.  May  the  Grand 
Architect  of  the  Universe  be  the  Guardian  of  your 
precious  days,  for  the  glory  of  the  Western  Hemi 
sphere  and  the  entire  universe.  Such  are  the  vows 
of  those  who  have  the  favor  to  be  by  all  the  known 
numbers." 

"Your  affectionate  brothers, 

"WATSON  &  CASSOUL." 
"  East  of  Nantes,  23d  1st  Month,  5782." 

Owing  to  the  uncertain  intercourse  between  the 
two  countries,  it  was  almost  seven  months  before 
Brother  WASHINGTON  received  the  Masonic  apron, 
ornaments  and  letter  from  France.  He  at  that 
time  was  in  camp  with  the  army  at  Newburg  on  the 
Hudson.16 

In  reply  WASHINGTON  sent  the  following  auto 
graph  letter  to  the  donors  in  Nantes,  viz. : 

16  Cf.  "  Itinerary  of  General  WASHINGTON  from  June  15,  1775,  to 
December  23,  1783,"  by  William  S.  Baker,  Philadelphia,  1892,  p.  271. 

21 


flDasonfc  Correepon&ence  of  Wasbtngton 

"STATE  OF  NEW  YORK 

"Augfc  10th  1782. 
fGentn' 

"The  Masonick  Ornam*8 
"which  accompanied  your  Bro 
therly  Address  of  the  23d  of 
"  Jany  last,  tho'  elegant  in 
"themselves,  were  rendered 
"more  valuable  by  the  flattering 
"sentiments,  and  affectionate 
"manner,  in  which  they  were 
"  presented. — 

"If  my  endeavours  to 
"avert  the  evil,  with  which  this 
"  Country  was  threatned  by  a 
"deliberate  plan  of  Tyranny, 
"  should  be  crowned  with  the  sue 
"cess  that  is  wished — The  praise 
"is  due  to  the  Grand  Architect 
"of  the  Universe;  who  did  not  see 
"fit  to  suffer  his  superstructures 
"and  justice,  to  be  subjected  to  the 
"Ambition  of  the  Princes  of  this 
"  World,  or  to  the  rod  of  oppression, 
"in  the  hands  of  any  power  upon 
"Earth.— 

"For  your  affectionate 
"Vows,  permit  me  to  be  grateful; 
" — and  offer  mine  for  true  Brothers 

22 


fltasonic  Correspondence  of 


"STATE  OF 


"The  Masonick  Ornam* 
"which  accompanied  your  Bro 
therly  Address  of  the  23d  of 
<f  Jari'  last,  tho"  elegant  in 
"themselves,  were  rendered 
"more  valuable  by  the  flattering 
"sentiments,  and  affectionate 
"manner,  in  which  they  were 
"  presented.  — 

"  If  my  endeavours  to 
"avert  the  evil,  with  which  this 
"  Country  was  threatned  by  a 
"deliberate  plan  of  Tyranny, 
"  should  be  crowned  with  the  sue 
"cess  that  is  wished  —  The  praise 
"is  due  to  the  Grand  Architect 
"  of  the  Universe  ;  who  did  not  see 
*4$t  to  suffer  his  superstructures 
1  aad  justice,  to  be  subjected  to  the 
"Ambition  of  the,Prif¥*>s  of  this 
"World,  or  to  the  rod  of  oppression, 
"in  the  hands  of  any  power  upon 
"Earth.- 

"For  your  affectionate 
"Vows,  permit  me  to  be  grateful; 

-  and  offer  mine  for  true  Brothers 
22 


Watson  an&  dassoul 


"  in  all  parts  of  the  world ;  and 
"  to  assure  you  of  the  sincerity 
"with  which  I  am 


"Mess" 

"  Watson  &  Cosson17 
"East  of  Nantes" 

This  autograph  letter  from  WASHINGTON  to 
Messrs.  Watson  and  Cassoul  is  now  in  the  possession 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  York,  who  purchased 
it  from  a  member  of  the  Watson  family  in  the  year 
1866  or  1867  at  a  cost  of  approximately  $1,000,  and 
is  now  framed  and  secured  between  two  sheets  of 
glass  in  the  collection  of  the  Committee  of  Antiqui 
ties  of  the  Grand  Lodge  F.  &  A.  M.  of  New  York.18 

It  is  written  upon  two  pages  of  an  ordinary  letter 
sheet,  and  was  a  copy  of  one  written  by  WASHING 
TON,  with  which  he  was  not  entirely  satisfied,  as 
shown  by  the  changes  made  in  the  text  before  it  was 
sent  to  France.  The  first  copy  WASHINGTON  re 
tained,  and  is  now  in  the  Library  of  Congress,  and 
is  here  given  for  comparison,  viz: 

IT  It  will  be  noted  that  on  both  the  draft  and  letter,  WASHINGTON 
spells  the  name  Cassoul — "Cosson." 

is  Catalogue  of  Antiquities  and  Curios,  Grand  Lodge  F.  &  A.  M., 
New  York,  Class  J,  No.  1,  New  York,  1905. 

23 


FAC-SIMILE  OF  THE  ORIGINAL  DRAFT  OF  WASHINGTON'S  LET- 


4 

L^*v 


»«  * 

«*N    .Q 


e  A^ 


TER   TO   WATSON   AND   CA3SOUL,    NEW   YORK,   AUGUST   10,    1782. 


flDasonfc  Correspon&ence  of  Washington 

"STATE  OF  NEW  YORK, 
Gent\,  "Aug1  10th  1782. 

"  The  Masonick  Orna- 
"ments  which  accompanied  your 
"Brotherly  Address  of  the  23d. 
"of  the  first  month,  tho'  elegant 
"in  themselves,  were  rendered 
"more  valuable  by  the  flattering 
"sentiments,  and  affectionate 
"manner,  in  which  they  were 
"  offered.— 

"If  my  endeavours  to 
"avert  the  evil,  with  which 
"  this  Country  was  threatned,  by 
"  a  deliberate  plan  of  Tyranny, 
"should  be  crowned  with  the 
"success  that  is  wished — the 
"praise  is  due  to  the  Grand 
"Architect  of  the  Universe;  who 

see  fit  to 

"did  not /\ suffer  his  superstruc 
"tures  &  justice,  to  be  subjected 

ambition  of  the  Princes  of  this  world — or 
"to  the /S rod  of  oppression,  in  the 
"hands  of  any  power  upon  Earth. 

"  For  your  affectionate 
"vows,  permit  me  to  be  grateful; 
"  and  offer  mine  for  true  Brothers 
"  in  all  parts  of  the  world ;  and 

26 


Watson  anD  Cassoul 


"to  assure  you  of  the  sincerity 
"with  which  I  am, 


~      - 


Endorsed 

to 

"Mess"5.  Watson  & 
"  Cosson  —  Nantes 

"10th  Aug*  1782." 

A  photographic  fac-simile  of  the  letter  now  in 
New  York,  and  a  photostat  of  the  original  copy 
retained  by  WASHINGTON  are  in  the  collection  of 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania. 

The  firm  of  Watson  and  Cassoul  of  Nantes, 
France,  acted  as  confidential  agents  of  the  Ameri 
can  Government  during  the  Revolutionary  period, 
as  is  shown  by  their  correspondence  with  Benjamin 
Franklin  in  the  Franklin  Mss.  collection  of  the 
American  Philosophical  Society.19  Elkanah  Wat 
son  was  also  a  bearer  of  despatches  to  Dr.  Franklin. 

is  Cf.  "Calendar  of  the  Papers  of  Benjamin  Franklin  in  the  Library 
of  the  American  Philosophical  Society,"  edited  by  I.  Minis  Hays,  Volume 
V,  p.  312. 


27 


II 


CORRESPONDENCE  WITH  ALEXANDRIA  LODGE,  No.  39, 
VIRGINIA,  DECEMBER,  1783. 

E  next  Masonic  Letter  of  Brother  WASH- 
INGTON  of  which  we  have  any  knowledge 
v  is  the  one  written  in  answer  to  a  letter 
sent  him,  upon  his  return  to  civil  life  by 
the  Brethren  of  Lodge  No.  39,  on  the  register  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania,  which  met  at  Alex 
andria,  Virginia. 

December  23,  1783,  General  WASHINGTON  pre 
sented  himself  to  "The  United  States  in  Congress 
Assembled,"  at  Annapolis,  Maryland,  and  resigned 
his  Commission  that  he  had  received  on  June  17, 
1775,  as  Commander-in-Chief  of  the  Armies  of  the 
United  States. 

Upon  Christmas  Eve  he  returned  to  Mount  Ver- 
non,  whereupon  the  Brethren  at  Alexandria,  who,  it 
must  be  remembered,  were  working  under  a  Penn 
sylvania  Warrant,  at  once  sent  the  following  Ad- 

28 


Xetter  to  Xo&ge  Bo*  39 


dress  signed  by  the  Officers  of  Lodge  No.  39,  to 
Brother  WASHINGTON  at  Mount  Vernon,20  viz.: 

"Sir:  Whilst  all  denominations  of  people  bless  the 
happy  occasion  of  your  excellency's  return  to  enjoy 
private  and  domestic  felicity,  permit  us,  sir,  the  mem 
bers  of  Lodge  No.  39,  lately  established  in  Alex 
andria,  to  assure  your  excellency,  that  we,  as  a  mys 
tical  body,  rejoice  in  having  a  brother  so  near  us, 
whose  preeminent  benevolence  has  secured  the  happi 
ness  of  millions;  and  that  we  shall  esteem  ourselves 
highly  honored  at  all  times  your  excellency  shall  be 
pleased  to  join  us  in  the  needful  business." 

"  We  have  the  honor  to  be,  in  the  name  and  behalf 
of  No.  39,  your  excellency's 

"Devoted  friends  and  brothers, 

"ROBERT  ADAM,  M. 
"E.  C.  DICK,  S.  W. 
"J.  ALLISON,  J.  W. 
"WM.   RAMSAY,   Treas" 
"His  Excellency  General  Washington." 

Two  days  later  Brother  WASHINGTON  sent  fol 
lowing  reply,21  viz.: 

20  Cf .  "  Old  Masonic  Lodges  of  Pennsylvania — Moderns  and  Ancients," 
Julius  F.  Sachse,  Philadelphia,  1913,  Vol.  II,  p.  157.    Also  Vide  "  Wash 
ington  the  Man  and  the  Mason,"  by  Charles  H.  Callahan,  published  under 
the  auspices  of  the  "  Memorial  Temple  Committee  of  the  George  Wash 
ington  Masonic  National  Memorial  Association,"  Washington,  D.  C.,  1913. 

21  Original  among  Washington  relics  in  Alexandria-Washington  Lodge. 
No.  22,  Alexandria,  Virginia.     Fac-simile  in  Washington  collection  of 
Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania. 

29 


fiDasontc  Corresponfcence  of  Washington 

"MOUNT  VERNON  28th  Decr.  1783. 
Gentlemen: 

"With  pleasing  sensibility 
"  I  received  your  favor  of  the  26th,  and 
"  beg  leave  to  offer  you  my  sincere  thanks 
"for  the  favorable  sentiments  with 
"which  it  abounds.  — 

"  I  shall  always  feel  pleasure 
"  when  it  may  be  in  my  power  to  ren- 
"  der  service  to  Lodge  ~N°  39,  and  in 
"  every  act  of  brotherly  kindness  to  the 
"Members  of  it;  being  with  great  truth. 
"Your  affect6  Brother 
"and  Obed*  Servant 


"Rob*  Adam  Esqr  Master, 
"&  the  Wardens  &  Treasr 
"of  Lodge  N°  39." 

No  copy  of  either  address  nor  reply  of  this  corre 
spondence  has  thus  far  been  found  among  the  Wash 
ington  papers  in  the  Library  of  Congress,  by  the 
present  writer. 

Brother  Robert  Adam,  the  Master  of  Alexandria 
Lodge,  No.  39,  was  a  Son  of  the  Rev.  John  Adam, 
D.D.,  and  Janet  Campbell,  of  Kelbride,  Scotland, 
was  born  May  4,  1731;  he  emigrated  to  America  in 
1753,  and,  after  a  short  residence  at  Annapolis,  Md., 

30 


WASHINGTON'S    REPLY    TO    ALEXANDRIA    LODGE,    No.    39.     ORIGINAL    IN 
ALEXANDRIA- WASHINGTON  LODGE,  No.  22,  ALEXANDRIA,  VIRGINIA. 

31 


flfcasontc  Correspon&ence  of  Washington 

established  himself  at  a  pleasant  country  residence 
in  Fairfax  County,  Virginia,  about  four  miles  from 
Alexandria.  He  was  a  gentleman  of  refined  taste, 
cultivation  and  wealth,  and  interested  himself  in 
everything  that  could  promote  the  prosperity  of  his 
adopted  home. 

It  appears  that  during  his  residence  at  Annapolis, 
he  was  made  a  Mason  in  a  clandestine  or  irregular 
Lodge,  and  in  the  year  1783  applied  for  a  dispensa 
tion  from  the  Grand  Master  of  Pennsylvania,  to 
apply  to  Lodge  No.  2,  for  initiation  and  member 
ship. 

Brother  Dr.  Elisha  Cullen  Dick,  Senior  Warden 
of  Lodge  No.  39,  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  born 
near  Marcus  Hook,  in  Delaware  County,  about 
1753,  and  died  at  Alexandria,  Va.,  September  22, 
1825.  He  was  a  son  of  Archibald  Dick,  a  member 
of  Lodge  No.  2  at  Philadelphia,  and  joined  the  same 
Lodge,  September  15,  1779.22  Brother  Elisha  C. 
Dick  was  a  graduate  of  the  old  Pequea  Academy, 
and  of  the  College  of  Pennsylvania.  He  began  the 
study  of  medicine  under  Drs.  William  Shippen  and 
Benjamin  Rush.  After  graduating  he  settled  in 
Alexandria,  Va.,  and  at  once  became  active  in  Ma 
sonic  circles  in  that  city,  and  was  instrumental  in 
having  the  petition  presented  to  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  Pennsylvania  for  a  warrant,  which  was  granted 

22  Elisha  C.  Dick's  petition  was  presented  in  'Lodge  No.  2,  September 
14,  1779,  approved  and  entered  by  virtue  of  a  dispensation  from  the 
Grand  Master,  September  15 ;  passed  and  raised,  September  23.  "  Free 
masonry  in  Pennsylvania,"  Vol.  I,  pp.  352,  353. 

32 


Bretbrcn  of  Xo&ge  IRo*  39 


under  the  name  and  number  "Alexandria  Lodge 
No.  39." 

Upon  the  records  of  the  Lodge,  Brother  Dick 
appears  as  both  predecessor  and  successor  of  Brother 
WASHINGTON  as  Master.  Brother  Dick  was  the 
first  consulting  physician  in  WASHINGTON'S  last 
illness,  and  also  conducted  the  Masonic  services  at 
WASHINGTON'S  funeral  on  December  18,  1799.  A 
biography  of  Dr.  Dick  is  in  the  Library  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania. 

Brother  John  Allison,  the  Junior  Warden  of 
Lodge  No.  39,  had  served  as  Major  in  the  1st  Vir 
ginia  State  Regiment,  and  later  as  Lieutenant 
Colonel. 

Brother  William  Ramsay,  Treasurer  of  Lodge 
No.  39,  was  an  old  personal  friend  of  WASHINGTON. 

For  a  history  of  Alexandria  Lodge,  No.  39,  war 
ranted  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania,  Feb 
ruary  3,  1783,  which  was  constituted  on  the  second 
floor  of  a  large  three-story  frame  building,  known 
as  the  "Lamb  Tavern,"  on  the  twenty-fifth  of  Feb 
ruary,  1783,  the  Masonic  student  is  referred  to  "  Old 
Masonic  Lodges  of  Pennsylvania,"  Philadelphia, 
1913,  Chapter  XL VI,  pp.  153-168. 

This  tavern  was  situated  on  the  west  side  of 
Union  Street,  between  Prince  and  Duke  Streets, 
Alexandria,  the  site  of  which  is  now  known  as  No. 
55  South  Union  Street.23 

23  Cf.  "The  Lodge  of  Washington,"  by  F.  L.  Brocket,  Alexandria, 
Va.,  1876. 

4  33 


Ill 

.CORRESPONDENCE  WITH  ALEXANDRIA  LODGE,  No.  39, 
VIRGINIA,  JUNE,  1784. 


next  Washington  letter  of  Masonic 
import  in  chronological  order  is  his  reply 
to  an  invitation  to  join  the  brethren  of 
Alexandria  Lodge,  No.  39,  in  the  cele 
bration  of  St.  John  the  Baptist's  Day,  June  24, 
1784,  to  which  WASHINGTON  sent  the  following 
reply,  accepting  the  fraternal  invitation. 

"  MOUNT  VERNON,  June  19,  1784.24 

"Dear  Sir:  With  pleasure,  I  received  the  invita 
tion  of  the  master  and  members  of  Lodge  No.  39,  to 
dine  with  them  on  the  approaching  anniversary  of 
St.  John  the  Baptist.  If  nothing  unforeseen  at 
present  interferes,  I  will  have  the  honor  of  doing  it. 
For  the  polite  and  flattering  terms  in  which  you 

24  "  Washington  and  his  Masonic  Compeers,"  by  Sidney  Hayden,  New 
York,  1866,  p.  104. 

34 


Masbinston  a  Pennsylvania  Jreeman 

have  expressed  their  wishes,  you  will  please  accept 
my  thanks." 

"With  esteem  and  respect, 
"I  am,  dear  sir, 

"Your  most  Ob't  serv't 


"Wm.  Herbert,  Esquire." 

No  copy  of  this  invitation  nor  acceptance,  has  thus 
far  been  found  among  the  Washington  papers. 

The  original  of  this  letter  is  also  said  to  be  among 
the  relics  of  Alexandria- Washington  Lodge,  No.  22. 
As  no  facsimile  copy  was  obtainable,  an  engrossed 
copy  for  same  was  substituted  in  the  collection  of 
Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania. 

This  banquet  was  held  at  Wise's  tavern25  and  was 
participated  in  by  WASHINGTON,  who  upon  this 
festive  occasion  was  elected  an  honorary  Member  of 
Lodge  No.  39,  upon  the  Pennsylvania  register,  and 
thus  became  a  Pennsylvania  Freemason,  and  his 
name  is  duly  recorded  as  such  upon  the  minutes  of 
Lodge  No.  39. 

This  fact  further  contradicts  the  Anti-Masonic 

25  John  Wise's  tavern,  in  which  the  above  Masonic  Banquet  was  held, 
is  a  large  three-story  brick  building  still  standing  on  high  ground  at  the 
northeast  corner  of  Cameron  and  Fairfax  Streets,  Alexandria.  At  that 
time  it  had  an  unobstructed  view  of  the  Potomac. 

35 


flDasonic  Correspondence  of  Washington 

arguments  based  upon  the  Snyder  letter  so  exten 
sively  used  during  the  years  1826-1833,  that  WASH 
INGTON  never  belonged  to  any  Masonic  Lodge,  after 
his  initiation  in  the  Fredericksburg  Lodge  in  1752. 

The  above  note  as  recorded  upon  the  Minutes  of 
Alexandria  Lodge,  ISTo.  39,  shows  that  WASHINGTON 
was  in  complete  harmony  with  the  Masonic  Fra 
ternity;  further,  that  by  his  acceptance  of  member 
ship,  WASHINGTON  became  a  Pennsylvania  Mason. 

Among  the  cherished  relics  in  the  Alexandria 
Lodge,  there  is  none  more  valuable  than  the  Masonic 
portrait  of  Brother  WASHINGTON,  which  forms  the 
frontispiece  of  this  volume.  This  was  painted  from 
life  in  pastel,  by  William  Williams,  at  Philadelphia 
in  1794. 

In  the  year  1910  a  facsimile  of  this  portrait  was 
made  in  oil  by  Miss  Fanny  M.  Burke,  an  artist  of 
repute,  and  a  great-granddaughter  of  Thomas  Jef 
ferson.  This  replica  made  for  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Pennsylvania  is  the  only  one  ever  made  of  this  por 
trait  and  shows  Brother  WASHINGTON  as  a  man  and 
Mason,  neither  heroized  nor  idealized.26 

26  Vide  "  Abstract  of  Proceedings  of  the  Proceedings  Grand  Lodge 
of  Pennsylvania,  During  the  Year  1910,"  pp.  110-117. 


36 


BY    JEAN    ANTOINE    HOUDON,    M&5. 


IV 


*  WITH  KING  DAVID'S  LODGE,  No.  1, 
RHO&K  IsLAxn,  AUGUST,  1790. 

f^RHf  HE  next  corn  *?»  chronological 

order  is  the  letter,  *f*it   u;   »"!  ''    1o  the 

>r*   delivered   by   the    Brethren    of 

•Kmg  David's  Lodge,  No.  1,  at  Newport, 

Rhode  Island,  to  President  WASHINGTON,  August 

17,  1790,  during  his  visit  to  New  England. 

By  referring  to  the  Minutes  of  this  old  Lodge 
following  entry  is  found: 


Vt  a  Lodge,  called  by  request  of  $rv 

•>?j    Tmr^-Uv    evening,    A.ugust    17,    ^?^H    '*n 
Hi:  Vf  "••  L<xlj|€  fceitUj?  ai  due 

\>rm 

tx*   add?*r>:,    "He  IVt*iAi^-t  <[    States. 

The  R.  \\         ,4er  (Mw          <ixas}   Henry  Sher- 
burne,   and   t^     Ht* 

37 


flDasonic  Correspondence  of  Washington 

"were  appointed  a  committee  for  that  purpose,  after 
"which  the  Lodge  closed."27 

Following  address  was  prepared  and  according  to 
local  tradition  was  publicly  presented,  by  the  Com 
mittee  to  President  WASHINGTON,  in  the  Venerable 
Sanctuary  of  the  Jewish  Congregation  at  Newport; 
the  Brethren  of  King  David's  Lodge  being  present: 

"  To  GEOKGE  WASHINGTON,  President  of  the  United 

States  of  America. 

"We  the  Master,  Wardens,  and  Brethren  of 
"  King  David's  Lodge  in  New  Port  Rhode  Island 
"with  joyful  hearts  embrace  this  opportunity  to 
"  greet  you  as  a  Brother,  and  to  hail  you  welcome 
"  to  Rhode  Island.    We  exult  in  the  thought  that 
"as  Masonry  has  always  been  patronised  by  the 
"wise,  the  good,  and  the  great,  so  that  it  stood 
"and  ever  will  stand,  as  its  fixtures  are  on  the 
"  immutable  pillars  of  faith,  hope,  and  charity. 

"With  unspeakable  pleasure  we  gratulate 
"you  as  filling  the  presidential  chair  with  the 
"  applause  of  a  numerous  and  enlightened  people 
"  Whilst  at  the  same  time  we  felicitate  ourselves 
"  in  the  honor  done  the  brotherhood  by  your  many 
"  exemplary  virtues  and  emanations  of  goodness 
"  proceeding  from  a  heart  worthy  of  possessing 

27  A  copy  of  the  Extracts  from  the  Records  of  King  David's  Lodge, 
No.  1,  as  made  by  Ara  Hildreth,  Esq.,  is  in  the  Archives  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Pennsylvania,  Mss.  Volume  Q,  R.I.  7. 

Cf.  also  a  verified  copy  of  the  Minute  in  "  Proceedings  of  the  Anti- 
masonic  Republican  Convention  of  Massachusetts,  Boston,  1832,"  p.  22. 

38 


Ifting  2>avf&'$  Xo&ae,  Wo,  i 


"the  ancient  mysteries  of  our  craft;  being  persuaded 
"  that  the  wisdom  and  grace  with  which  heaven 
"  has  endowed  you,  will  square  all  your  thoughts, 
"  words,  and  actions  by  the  eternal  laws  of  honor, 
"  equity,  and  truth,  so  as  to  promote  the  advancement 
"  of  all  good  works,  your  own  happiness,  and  that 
"  of  mankind. 

"Permit  us  then,  illustrious  Brother, 
"cordially  to  salute  you  with  three  times  three 
"and  to  add  our  fervent  supplications  that  the 
"  sovereign  architect  of  the  universe  may  always 
"encompass  you  with  his  holy  protection. 

"  MOSES  SEixAS28  Master 
"  New  Port  Aug*  17,  1790.  Committee. 

"HY  SHERBUKNE 
"By  order 

"  WM  LlTTLEFIELD, 


Brother  Moses  Seixas  was  born  in  New  York, 
March  28,  1744;  died  in  New  York  City,  November 
29,  1809.  He  was  a  merchant  in  Newport,  Rhode 
Island,  and  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Newport 
Bank  of  Rhode  Island,  of  which  he  was  cashier  until 
his  death.  He  succeeded  Brother  Moses  M.  Hays 
as  Worshipful  Master  of  King  David's  Lodge  at 
Newport.  He  was  also  the  first  Grand  Master  of 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  Rhode  Island.  It  was  Moses 
Seixas  who  addressed  a  letter  of  welcome  in  the 

28  Vide  "  The  Jews  and  Masonry  in  the  United  States,"  by  Samuel 
Oppenheim,  New  York,  1810,  p.  22  et  seq. 

39 


fiDasonfc  Gorrespon&ence  of  Washington 

name  of  the  Jewish  congregation  to  GEORGE  WASH 
INGTON  when  the  latter  visited  Newport,  and  it  was 
to  him  that  WASHINGTON'S  answer  was  addressed. 

The  Town  Hall  at  Newport  being  out  of  repair 
at  that  time  the  ancient  Jewish  Synagogue  on  the 
main  street  was  used,  upon  that  and  several  other 
public  occasions.  It  is  an  interesting  fact  that  this 
sacred  edifice  is  still  preserved  in  the  same  condition 
as  it  was  during  the  Colonial  period. 

So  far  as  known  this  address  was  the  first  of  Ma 
sonic  import  made  to  WASHINGTON  as  President. 
Unfortunately,  the  exact  date  of  presentation  and 
receipt  of  his  answer  is  not  known  to  a  certainty,  as 
there  does  not  appear  to  be  any  date  upon  either  the 
original  documents  or  the  copies  in  WASHINGTON'S 
letter  book. 

The  original  address  and  WASHINGTON'S  reply  to 
the  Master,  Wardens  and  Brethren  of  King  David's 
Lodge  in  Newport,  the  latter  signed  in  autograph  by 
WASHINGTON,  are  in  the  Athenaeum  collection  at 
Boston,  Massachusetts.29 

Following  copy  of  the  President's  answer  is  taken 
from  his  letter  book.30  Both  address  and  answer  in 
the  letter  book  are  in  the  handwriting  of  Major 
William  Jackson,  secretary  to  the  President. 

A  photostat  of  the  original  entry  is  in  the  Archives 

2»  Cf.  "  Catalogue  of  the  Washington  Collection  in  the  Boston  Athe 
naeum,"  Boston,  1897,  p.  331. 
so  Letterbook  II,  p.  29. 

40 


*& 


<SX* 


/V 


F AC-SIMILE  OF  REPLY  TO  KING  DAVID'S  LODGE,  No.  1,  NEWPORT,  R.   I. 
LETTER  BOOK  II,  FOLIO  29. 


flDa0onic  Correspondence  of  Washington 

of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania.  It  will  be 
noted  that  there  is  neither  place  nor  date  given. 

President  WASHINGTON  arrived  at  Newport,  R.  L, 
at  eight  o'clock  on  Tuesday  morning,  August  17, 
1790.  On  the  next  day,  Wednesday,  the  President 
and  his  suite  left  on  the  Packet  "  Hancock "  at  nine 
o'clock  in  the  morning  for  Providence. 

His  company  consisted  of  Governor  Clinton  of 
New  York,  Thomas  Jefferson,  Secretary  of  State, 
Senator  Theodore  Foster,  Judge  Blair,  Mr.  Smith 
of  South  Carolina  and  Mr.  Gorman  of  New  Hamp 
shire;  members  of  Congress.31 

WASHINGTON  left  Providence,  Saturday,  August 
21,  and  arrived  in  New  York  upon  the  following 
day,  Sunday,  August  22,  1790,32  and  sent  the  follow 
ing  reply  to  the  Newport  Brethren: 

"  To  THE  MASTER,  WARDENS,  AND  BRETHREN  or 
"  KING  DAVIDS  LODGE  IN  NEWPORT  RHODE  ISLAND." 
<c  Gentlemen, 

"  I  receive  the  welcome  which  you 
"  give  me  to  Rhode  Island  with  pleasure,  and  I 
"acknowledge  my  obligations  for  the  flattering 
"  expressions  of  regard,  contained  in  your  address, 
"with  grateful  sincerity. 

"Being  persuaded  that  a  just 
"  application  of  the  principles,  on  which  the  Masonic 

si  Cf .  "  Washington  after  the  Revolution,"  W.  S.  Baker,  Philadelphia, 
1898,  p.  192. 

32  Cf.  Pennsylvania  Packet,  August  30-31  1790. 

42 


provi&ence  an&  IRevoport,  TR,  U, 

Fraternity  is  founded,  must  be  promotive  of 
private  virtue  and  public  prosperity,  I  shall 
always  be  happy  to  advance  the  interests  of 
the  Society,  and  to  be  considered  by  them  as 
a  deserving  brother. 

"My  best  wishes,  Gentlemen,  are  offered 
for  your  individual  happiness."323 


o 

~^  -  > 


32a  Copy  of  Address  in  Letter  Book  II,  pp.  27-28,  Photostat  of  same 
in  Archives  of  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania. 


BROTHER, 
JL  OU  are  defired  to  meet  the  MASTER  and  BRE 

THREN     of  /lrf)DCE    No.    39,    Ancient   YORK     MA 


at  /    o'Clock  this  Evcning. 
By  Order:  of  the  Matter 


FAC-SIMILE  OF  NOTICE  SENT  TO  BROTHER  WASHINGTON  AT  MOUNT  VERNON 
TO  ATTEND  HIS  LODGE.     TREASURED  BY  THE  WIFE  OF  PRESIDENT  MADI 
SON  UNTIL  HER  DEATH.     ORIGINAL  IN  ARCHIVES  OF  GRAND  LODGE 
OF  PENNSYLVANIA.    Mss.  VOL.  A,  FOLIO  81. 


43 


CORRESPONDENCE  WITH  ST.  JOHN'S  LODGE,  No.  2, 
AT  NEWBERN,  N.  C.,  APRIL,  1791. 

next    Masonic    letter    of    President 
WASHINGTON  was  written,  in  answer  to 
an  address  by  the  brethren  of  St.  John's 
Lodge,  No.  2,  at  Newbern,  North  Caro 
lina,  during  his  southern  tour  in  1791. 

April  7,  1791,  WASHINGTON  started  on  a  tour 
through  the  Southern  States,  by  way  of  Fredericks- 
burg,  Richmond,  and  Petersburg,  Virginia;  Hali 
fax,  Tarborough,  Newbern,  and  Wilmington,  North 
Carolina;  Georgetown,  and  Charleston,  South  Caro 
lina;  and  Savannah,  Georgia. 

When  advice  of  this  proposed  presidential  visit 
reached  Newbern,  the  brethren  of  St.  John's  Lodge, 
No.  2,33  at  the  stated  meeting  held  on  April  1,  1791, 
passed  the  following  resolution.  ff  Resolved,  that  an 

33  In  the  latter  part  of  the  eighteenth  century,  St.  John's  Lodge,  No. 
2,  at  Newbern,  was  very  active,  at  which  time  it  built  a  two-story 
theatre  and  Masonic  Hall,  and  took  part  in  a  number  of  local  matters. 

44 


Hrrival  at  iRevobern,  H,  C. 


address  shall  be  presented  to  Brother  GEORGE  WASH 
INGTON,  in  behalf  of  this  Lodge,  on  his  arriving  in 
this  town."34 

Upon  his  arrival  at  Newbern,  N.  C.,  April  20, 
following  address  was  presented  to  the  President,35 
which,  together  with  the  reply,  has  thus  far  never 
been  in  print  or  noted: 

"  To  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  THE  UNITED   STATES  OF 
AMERICA. 

"The   Address    of    St    Johns   Lodge    No.    2    of 

Newbern. 
"Right  Worshipful  Sir, 

"We  the  Master,  Officers,  and  Members  of  S*. 
"Johns  Lodge  No  2,  of  Newbern,  beg  leave  to  hail 
"  you  welcome  with  three  times  three. 

"We  approach  you  not  with  the  language  of 
"  adulation,  but  sincere  fraternal  affection — your 
"  works  having  proved  you  to  be  the  true  and  f  aith- 
"ful  brother,  the  skilful  and  expert  Craftsman,  the 
"just  and  upright  man,  But  the  powers  of  elo- 
"quence  are  too  feeble  to  express  with  sufficient 
"energy  the  cordial  warmth  with  which  our  bosoms 
"glow  toward  you. 

"  We  therefore  most  ardently  wish,  most  fervently 
"and  devoutly  pray,  That  the  Providence  of  the 

34  Extract   from  Minutes  by  Brother  J.  F.   Rhem,  M.D.,   Newbern, 
N.  C. 

35  Letter  Book  2,  pp.  47-48  in  Library  of  Congress,  Washington,  D.  C. ; 
photostat  in  Archives  of  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania. 

45 


HDasonic  Correspondence  of  Washington 


***  ' 


FAC-SIMILE  OF  ADDRESS  FROM  ST.  JOHN'S  LODGE,  No. 


46 


letter  ffiooh  iRo.  it 


>^*»~    ^SZt*.  _  4f*^s^£^C^      &i^T4SL4s    £• 

£4*#+£2    -fa^t&fa.   a*3    &****• 


NEWBERX,  N.   C.    LETTER  BOOK  II,  FOLIO  47-48. 


47 


fiDasonic  Correspondence  of  Washington 

"most  high  may  strengthen,  establish,  and  protect 
"you,  in  your  walk  through  this  life;  and  when  you 
"  shall  be  called  off  from  your  terrestrial  labours  by 
"command  of  our  divine  grand  master,  and  your 
"  operations  sealed  with  the  mark  of  his  approbation, 
"may  your  soul  be  eternally  refreshed  with  the 
"streams  of  living  water  which  flow  at  the  right 
"hand  of  God,  and  when  the  supreme  architect  of 
"all  worlds  shall  collect  his  most  precious  jewels  as 
"ornaments  of  the  celestial  Jerusalem,  may  you 
"everlastingly  shine  among  those  of  the  brightest 
"  lustre. 

"We  are  in  our  own  behalf,  and  that  of  the 
"  Members  of  this  Lodge, 

"Right  worshipful  Sir; 
"  St  Johns  Lodge  No.  2. 

"Your  true  and  faithful  brethren 
"April  20th  5791. 

"  ISAAC  GUION  Master. 

"SAMUEL  CHAPMAN  Senior  Warden. 

"WILLIAM  JOHNSTON,  Junior  Warden. 
"  SOLOMON  HALLING,  EDW.  PASTEUK,  JAS  CARNEY, 

F.  LOWTHEOP. 

"Members  of  the  Committee. 

Brothers:  Isaac  Guion,  Worshipful  Master,  Sam 
uel  Chapman,  Senior  Warden,  William  Johnston, 
Junior  Warden,  and  Solomon  Hailing,  signers  to 
above  petition  had  all  seen  service  in  the  Continental 

48 


IRepl?  to  St.  3obn'$  Xo60e,  IRo*  2 

Army  during  the  Revolutionary  War.  Brother 
Guion  served  as  Surgeon  and  Paymaster;  Brother 
Chapman,  Captain  in  8th  North  Carolina,  serving 
until  the  close  of  the  War;  Brother  Johnston,  Cap 
tain  in  North  Carolina  Militia  and  present  at  Kings 
Mountain. 

Brother  Hailing  was  Surgeon  of  the  4th  Carolina 
Regiment  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  War. 

WASHINGTON'S  REPLY36  TO  THE  BRETHREN  OF  ST. 
JOHN'S  LODGE. 

"  To  THE  MASTER,  WARDENS,  AND  MEMBERS  OF  ST 

"  JOHN'S  LODGE  No.  2  OF  NEWBERN. 
"  Gentlemen, 

"  I  receive  the  cordial  welcome  which  you 
"are  pleased  to  give  me  with  sincere  gratitude. 

"My  best  ambition  having  ever  aimed  at 
"the  unbiassed  approbation  of  my  fellow-citizens, 
"it  is  peculiarly  pleasing  to  find  my  conduct 
"  so  affectionately  approved  by  a  fraternity  whose  as- 
"sociation  is  founded  in  justice  and  benevolence. 

"  In  reciprocating  the  wishes  contained 
"  in  your  address,  be  persuaded  that  I  offer  a  sincere 
"  prayer  for  your  present  and  future  happiness. 


^— 


Ibid.,  p.  49 ;  photostat  in  Archives  of  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania. 
5  49 


fiDasonic  Correspondence  of  Washington 

"At  the  following  Meeting  of  St.  John's  Lodge, 
No.  2,  April  29,  1791,  the  Master  laid  before  the 
Lodge  the  answer  of  Brother  George  Washington 
ordered  that  it  be  read,  which  being  done,  Resolved 
that  it  be  entered  on  Minutes  of  this  Lodge."37 
"The  Address  to  Brother  Washington  and  his  an 
swer  are  both  on  the  Minutes  of  the  Lodge.  The 
original  letter  may  have  been  lost  during  the  late 
unpleasantness,  as  the  Lodge  lost  nearly  everything 
it  possessed."38 

37  Extract  from  Minutes  by  Brother  J.  F.  Rhem,  M.D.,  Newbern, 
N.  C. 

38  Brother  J.  F.  Rhem,  Newbern,  N.  C.,  in  letter  to  Brother  A.  B. 
Andrews,  Jr.,  December  14,  1914. 


50 


VI 

CORRESPONDENCE    WITH    PRINCE     GEORGE'S    LODGE, 

No.  16,  GEORGETOWN,  S.  C.,  APRIL,  1791. 

ASHINGTON  left  Newbern,  North 
Carolina,  under  an  escort  of  horse, 
April  22,  1791,  and  arrived  at  George 
town,  South  Carolina,  by  way  of  Wil 
mington,  N.  C.,  Saturday,  April  30,  where  he  was 
received  with  a  salute  of  cannon,  and  by  a  company 
of  infantry,  and  during  the  afternoon  was  presented 
with  the  following  address,  by  a  Committee  of 
Prince  George's  Lodge,  No.  16  (Moderns),  of 
Georgetown,  South  Carolina. 

This  Lodge  was  one  of  the  original  six  Lodges, 
which  had  been  warranted  prior  to  1756  in  South 
Carolina,  under  the  Jurisdiction  of  the  Provincial 
Grand  Lodge,  and  through  it,  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
England.  It  is  the  only  instance  where  a  Lodge  of 
the  "Moderns"  addressed  Brother  WASHINGTON: 

51 


fiDa0onic  Correspondence  of  Washington 

"To  OUR  ILLUSTRIOUS  BROTHER  GEORGE  WASH 
INGTON. 

"President  of  the  United  States. 

"  At  a  time  when  all  men  are  emulous  to  approach 
"you  to  express  the  lively  sensations  you  inspire  as 
"  the  Father  of  our  country.  Permit  us  the  Brethren 
"of  Prince  George's  Lodge  No.  16  to  have  our  share 
"  in  the  general  happiness  in  welcoming  you  to 
"  Georgetown,  and  the  pleasure  of  reflecting  that  we 
"behold  in  you  the  liberator  of  our  country,  the 
"distributor  of  its  equal  laws,  and  a  Brother  of  our 
"most  ancient  and  most  honorable  Order. 

"At  the  same  time  indulge  us  in  congratulating 
"  you  on  the  truly  honorable  and  happy  situation  in 
"which  you  now  stand,  as  the  Grand  Conductor  of 
"  the  political  interests  of  these  United  States. 

"Having  by  your  manly  efforts  caused  the  beau- 
"  teous  light  of  liberty  to  beam  on  this  western  hemi- 
"  sphere,  and  by  the  wisdom  Heaven  has  graciously 
"endowed  you  with  established  the  liberties  of 
"America  on  the  justest  and  firmest  basis  that  was 
"ever  yet  recorded  in  the  annuals  of  history,  you 
"now  enjoy  the  supremest  of  all  earthly  happiness 
"that  of  diffusing  peace,  liberty,  and  safety  to  mil- 
"  lions  of  your  fellow-citizens. 

"As  a  true  reward  for  your  patriotic,  noble  and 
"  exalted  services  we  fervently  pray  the  Grand  Archi 
tect  of  the  universe  long  to  bless  you  with  health, 
"stability,  and  power  to  continue  you  the  Grand 

52 


H55re00  of  prince  <5eor0e'$ 


"Pillar  of  the  arch  of  liberty  in  this  vast  empire, 
"which  you  have  been  so  eminently  distinguished  in 
"  raising  to  this  pitch  of  perfection  at  which  we  now 
"behold  it. 

"May  the  residue  of  your  life  be  spent  in  ease 
"  content  and  happiness,  and  as  the  Great  Parent  of 
"these  United  States  may  you  long  live  to  see  your 
"children  flourish  under  your  happy  auspices  and 
"may  you  be  finally  rewarded  with  eternal  happiness. 
"  We  conclude  our  present  address  with  a  fervent 
"wish  that  you  will  continue  as  you  have  hitherto 
"been,  the  friend  of  our  ancient  and  honorable 
"  Order,  and  of  all  worthy  Masons. 

I.  WHITE 

R.  GRANT      Committee  from 

AB.  COHEN    Prince  George's  Lodge. 

Jos.  BLYTH. 

J.  CARSON. 

"George  Town  30th  April  1791." 

Of  the  above  signers,  three  of  the  brethren  had 
served  in  the  War  for  Independence,  viz.:  Brother 
Isaac  White,  Lieutenant  in  North  Carolina  Militia 
at  Kings  Mountain;  Brother  Reuben  Grant,  Ensign 
in  the  6th  North  Carolina  Infantry,  and  Brother 
Joseph  Blythe,  Surgeon  in  1st  North  Carolina  Regi 
ment,  taken  prisoner  at  Charleston,  May  12th,  1780; 
exchanged  June  14,  1781;  in  4th  North  Carolina  in 
February,  1782,  and  served  to  close  of  war. 

53 


FAC-SIMILE  OF  ADDRESS  FROM  THE  BRETHREN  OF  PRINCE  GEORGE'S  LODGE, 

FOLIO 


&*&**- 


&  '6/i£  ~~7?L<:s£ 


-Zxrztsi,. 


£f<rz*^. 


;£u, 


No.  16,  GEORGETOWN,  SOUTH  CAROLINA,  APRIL,  1791.    LETTER  BOOK  II, 
59-60. 


fiDasonic  Correspon&ence  of  Masbington 

The  following  reply  unfortunately  bears  no  date. 
Both  address  and  reply  were  entered  in  Washington 
Letter  Book,  No.  II,  folio  60-61.  It  is  not  known 
what  has  became  of  the  originals.  No  notice  or 
copies  of  either  of  the  above  documents  have  thus  far 
been  published. 

WASHINGTON'S  REPLY. 
"To  THE  BRETHREN  OF  PRINCE  GEORGE'S  LODGE, 

No.  16. 
fc  Gentlemen: 

"  The  cordial  welcome  which  you  give  me 
"  to  George  Town,  and  the  congratulations,  you  are 
"  pleased  to  offer  on  my  election  to  the  chief 
"  magistracy  receive  my  grateful  thanks. 

"I  am  much  obliged  by  your  good  wishes 
"  and  reciprocate  them  with  sincerity,  assuring  the 
"  fraternity  of  my  esteem,  I  request  them  to  believe 
"  that  I  shall  always  be  ambitious  of  being  considered 
"a  deserving  Brother. 


GENERAL  MORDECAI  GIST. 

B.    BALTIMORE,    MD.,    1743.  D.    CHARLESTON,    S.    C.,    1792. 

WHO,    AS   GRAND    MASTER    OF    SOUTH    CAROLINA,   SIGNED   THE    ADDRESS 
TO    BROTHER    WASHINGTON. 


VII 

CORRESPONDENCE  WITH  GRAND  LODGE  OF  SOUTH 
CAROLINA,  MAY,  1791. 

'RESIDENT  WASHINGTON  left  George 
town  at  six  o'clock  in  the  evening,  May 
1,  1791,  reaching  Charleston,  South 
Carolina,  Monday,  May  2,  in  a  twelve- 
oared  barge  rowed  by  twelve  American 
captains  of  ships  accompanied  by  a  great  number  of 
boats  with  gentlemen  and  ladies  in  them,  and  two 
boats  with  music.39  Brother  WASHINGTON  re 
mained  in  Charleston  until  May  9. 

Wednesday,  May  4,  1791,  General  Mordecai  Gist, 
an  old  companion  in  arms  of  WASHINGTON,  and 
formerly  Master  of  the  Military  Lodge  in  the  Mary 
land  line  (No.  27  upon  the  register  of  Pennsyl 
vania),40  but  now  Grand  Master  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Ancient  York  Masons  of  South  Carolina, 

39  Washington's  Diary. 

40  Cf.   "Old  Masonic  Lodges  in  Pennsylvania,"  Philadelphia,  1913, 
Vol.  2,  p.  53  et  seq. 

57 


fiDasonic  Correspon&ence  of  WasWngton 

attended  by  the  other  present  and  past  grand  offi 
cers,41  waited  on  their  beloved  brother,  the  president 
of  the  United  States,  and  presented  the  following 
address  :42 

"Sir — Induced  by  a  respect  for  your  public  and 
private  character,  as  well  as  the  relation  in  which 
you  stand  with  the  brethren  of  this  society,  we  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  the  State  of  South  Carolina,  An 
cient  York  Masons,  beg  leave  to  offer  our  sincere 
congratulations  on  your  arrival  in  this  state. 

"We  felicitate  you  on  the  establishment  and  ex 
ercise  of  a  permanent  government,  whose  foundation 
was  laid  under  your  auspices  by  military  achieve 
ments,  upon  which  have  been  progressively  reared 
the  pillars  of  the  free  republic  over  which  you  pre 
side,  supported  by  wisdom,  strength,  and  beauty 
unrivalled  among  the  nations  of  the  world. 

"The  fabric  thus  raised  and  committed  to  your 
superintendence,  we  earnestly  wish  may  continue  to 
produce  order  and  harmony  to  succeeding  ages,  and 
be  the  asylum  of  virtue  to  the  oppressed  of  all  parts 
of  the  universe. 

"When  we  contemplate  the  distresses  of  war,  the 
instances  of  humanity  displayed  by  the  Craft  afford 

41  Brother  William  Drayton,  Past  Grand  Master;  Brother  Mordecai 
Gist,  Grand  Master;  Brother  Thomas  B.  Bowen,  Deputy  Grand  Master; 
Brother  George  Miller,  Senior  Grand  Warden;  Brother  John  Mitchell, 
Junior  Grand  Warden;  Brother  Thomas  Gates,  Grand  Chaplain;  Brother 
Robert  Knox,  Grand  Treasurer;  Brother  Alexandrer  Alexander,  Grand 
Secretary;  Brother  Israel  Meyers,  Grand  Tiler. 

42  City  Gazette,  Friday,  May  6,  1791,  p.  2,  column  4. 

58 


Ht  Charleston,  Soutb  Carolina 

some  relief  to  the  feeling  mind;  and  it  gives  us  the 
most  pleasing  sensation  to  recollect,  that  amidst  the 
difficulties  attendant  on  your  late  military  stations, 
you  still  associated  with,  and  patronized  the  Ancient 
Fraternity. 

"  Distinguished  always  by  your  virtues,  more  than 
the  exalted  stations  in  which  you  have  moved,  we 
exult  in  the  opportunity  you  now  give  us  of  hailing 
you  brother  of  our  Order,  and  trust  from  your 
knowledge  of  our  institution,  to  merit  your  counte 
nance  and  support. 

"With  fervent  zeal  for  your  happiness,  we  pray 
that  a  life  so  dear  to  the  bosom  of  this  society,  and 
to  society  in  general,  may  be  long,  very  long  pre 
served;  and  when  you  leave  the  temporal  symbolic 
lodges  of  this  world,  may  you  be  received  into  the 
celestial  lodge  of  light  and  perfection,  where  the 
Grand  Master  Architect  of  the  Universe  presides. 

"Done  in  behalf  of  the  Grand  Lodge. 

"M.  GIST,  G.  M."43 
"  Charleston,  2d  May,  1791." 

To  this  address  WASHINGTON  returned  the  follow 
ing  reply.44 

"Gentlemen: — I  am  much  obliged  by  the  respect 
which  you  are  so  good  as  to  declare  for  my  public 

43  For  full  account  of  Lodge  27  and  Brother  Gist,  vide  "  Old  Masonic 
Lodges  of  Pennsylvania,"  before  quoted,  Vol.  II,  pp.  53-63. 

4i  Cf.  Hayden,  "  Washington  and  his  Masonic  Compeers,"  p.  135. 

59 


fiDasontc  Correspondence  of  Washington 

and  private  character.  I  recognize  with  pleasure 
my  relation  to  the  brethren  of  your  Society,  and  I 
accept  with  gratitude  your  congratulations  on  my 
arrival  in  South  Carolina. 

"Your  sentiments,  on  the  establishment  and  ex 
ercise  of  our  equal  government,  are  worthy  of  an 
association,  whose  principles  lead  to  purity  of  morals, 
and  are  beneficial  of  action. 

"  The  fabric  of  our  freedom  is  placed  on  the  endur 
ing  basis  of  public  virtue,  and  will,  I  fondly  hope, 
long  continue  to  protect  the  prosperity  of  the  archi 
tects  who  raised  it.  I  shall  be  happy,  on  every  occa 
sion,  to  evince  my  regard  for  the  Fraternity.  For 
your  prosperity  individually,  I  offer  my  best  wishes." 


This  letter  was  probably  destroyed  with  other 
Grand  Lodge  property  when  Columbia,  South  Caro 
lina,  was  burned  by  Sherman's  Army  during  the 
war  between  the  States.45 

Fortunately,  the  original  draft  of  WASHINGTON'S 
reply,  was  found  among  the  Washington  papers  now 
in  the  Library  of  Congress.  This  is  written  upon 
two  pages  of  a  letter  sheet:  the  first  page  shows  a 
paragraph  which  was  suppressed  and  did  not  appear 

45  William  C.  Mazyck,  Right  Worshipful  Grand  Secretary,  G.  L.  of 
South  Carolina. 

60 


2>ratt  of  iRepl? 


upon  the  clear  copy  sent  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Ancient  York  Masons  of  South  Carolina. 

A  photostat  of  this  draft  is  in  the  collection  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania,  viz.: 

"To  THE  GRAND  LODGE  OF  THE  STATE  OF  SOUTH 

"  CAROLINA  ANCIENT  YORK  MASONS. 
ff  Gentlemen, 

"I  am  much  obliged  by  the  respect 
"  which  you  are  so  good  as  to  declare  for  my 
"public  and  private  character.     I  recognise 
"  with  pleasure  my  relation  to  the  Brethren 
"of  your  Society — and  I  accept  with  gratitude 
"your  congratulations  on  my  arrival  in 
"South  Carolina. 

"  Your  felicitations    It  is  peculiarly 

general 

ff  pleasing  to  observe  the  /\  satisfaction  expressed 
ff  on  the  establishment  and  exercise  of  the 
ff  federal  government— 
"Your  sentiments  on  the  establishment 
"  and  exercise  of  our  equal  government  are 
"worthy  of  an  association,  whose  principles 
"  lead  to  purity  of  morals,  and  beneficence 
"of  action — The  fabric  of  our  freedom 
"  is  placed  on  the  enduring  basis  of 
"public  virtue,  and  will  long  continue 
"to  protect  the  Posterity  of  the  architects 
"who  raised  it. 

"I  shall  be  happy  on  every 


61 


flDasonic  Correspondence  of  Washington 


FAC-SIMILE   OF  DRAFT  OF  WASHINGTON'S  REPLY  TO  AD- 
HANDWRITING  OF 


62 


%fbrar$  of  Congress,  iRo*  33433 


*;/^ 

JL&f< 


DRESS  FROM   GRAND  LODGE   OF   SOUTH   CAROLINA,  MAY,   1791. 

MAYOR  WILLIAM  JACKSON. 


63 


flDasonic  Correspondence  of  Washington 

regard 

"  occasion  to  evince  my  respect  for  the 
"Fraternity,  for  whose  happiness  individually 
"I  offer  my  best  wishes." 


Upon  the  first  page  the  four  lines  commencing 
with  "  Your  felicitations  "  and  ending  with  "  federal 
government  "  were  crossed  out,  and  as  above  stated, 
were  not  in  the  reply  sent  to  R.  W.  Grand  Master 
Gist  and  his  officers. 

In  the  third  line  from  the  bottom  the  word  "re 
gard"  is  substituted  for  "respect." 

Brother  Gist  was  the  original  Warrant  Master  of 
the  Regimental  Lodge  in  the  Maryland  line,  No.  27, 
on  the  Roster  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania. 
After  the  war,  Brother  Gist  settled  in  Charleston, 
South  Carolina,  retaining  his  old  Military  Warrant, 
and,  in  1786,  applied  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Penn 
sylvania,  to  renew  this  warrant,  for  a  Lodge  to  be 
located  at  Charleston  under  the  same  number.  This 
request  was  granted,  and  Brother  Gist  was  again 
named  as  Warrant  Master. 

At  the  formation  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South 
Carolina  Ancient  York  Masons  in  1787,  Brother 
Gist  was  elected  Deputy  Grand  Master  and  served 
as  such  during  the  years  1787-88-89,  and  as  Grand 
Master,  1790-1791. 

64 


VIII 

CORRESPONDENCE  WITH  GRAND  LODGE  OF  GEORGIA, 
MAY,  1791. 

N  the  way  from  Charleston,  South  Caro 
lina,  to  Savannah,  Georgia,  WASHING 
TON  called  on  Mrs.  Greene,  the  widow  of 
late  Brother  General  Nathaniel  Greene, 
at  her  plantation  called  Mulberry  Grove,  reaching 
Savannah,  Georgia,  on  the  evening  of  Thursday, 
May  12,  1791. 

Saturday,  May  14,  WASHINGTON  was  waited  on 
by  Brethren  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Georgia  and 
presented  with  the  following  address  :45a 

"  To  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

"Sir,  and  Brother, 

"  The  Grand  Master,  Officers  and  Members  of  the 
"  Grand  Lodge  of  Georgia,  beg  leave  to  congratulate 
"you  on  your  arrival  in  this  city.  Whilst  your  ex- 

45a  Washington  Letter  Book,  II,  folio  77.    Photostat  in  Archives  of 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania. 
6  65 


<5ranD  %oDge  of  ©eorgia 


"alted  character  claims  the  respect  and  deference  of 
"  all  men,  they  from  the  benevolence  of  masonic  prin- 
"ciples  approach  you  with  the  familiar  declaration 
"  of  fraternal  affection. 

"Happy  indeed  that  Society,  renowned  for  its 
"antiquity,  and  pervading  influence  over  the  en- 
"  lightened  world,  which  having  ranked  a  Frederick 
"at  its  head,  can  now  boast  of  a  Washington  as  a 
"Brother.  A  Brother  who  it  justly  hailed  the  Re- 
"  deemer  of  his  country,  raised  it  to  glory,  and  by  his 
"conduct  in  public  and  private  life  has  evinced  to 
"  Monarchs  that  true  majesty  consists  not  in  splendid 
"royalty,  but  in  intrinsic  worth. 

"With  these  sentiments  they  rejoice  at  your  pres- 
"  ence  in  this  State,  and  in  common  with  their  f ellow- 
"  citizens,  greet  you,  thrice  welcome,  flattering  them- 
"  selves  that  your  stay  will  be  made  agreeable. 

"May  the  great  Architect  of  the  Universe  pre- 
"  serve  you  whilst  engaged  in  the  work  allotted  you 
"on  earth,  and  long  continue  you  the  brightest  pil- 
"  lar  of  our  Temple,  and  when  the  supreme  fiat  shall 
"summon  you  hence,  they  pray  the  might  I  AM 
"  may  take  you  into  his  holy  keeping, 

"Grand  Lodge  in  Savannah 
"May  14th  5791. 

"GEO:  HOUSTON, 

"Grand  Master/' 

Upon  the  next  day,  Sunday,  May  15,  after  attend 
ing  the  morning  church  service,  WASHINGTON  left 

66 


Mitb  <5rant>  XO&QC  of  Georgia 


BRO.    WASHINGTON'S    REPLY    TO    ADDRESS    FROM    THE    GRAND   LODGE    OP 
GEORGIA,  MAY,  1791.    LETTER  BOOK  II,  FOLIO  78. 


67 


flDasonic  Correspondence  of  Wasbington 

Savannah  and  set  out  for  Augusta,  Georgia,  halting 
for  dinner  at  Mulberry  Grove,  the  seat  of  Mrs. 
Nathaniel  Greene.  The  following  reply  to  the  Ma 
sonic  address  was  sent  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Georgia,46  both  address  and  reply  now  first  pub 
lished: 

"To  THE  GRAND  MASTER,  OFFICERS  AND  MEMBERS 

"  OF  THE  GRAND  LODGE  OF  GEORGIA. 
(f  Gentlemen, 

"  I  am  much  obliged  by  your  congratulations 
"  on  my  arrival  in  this  city,  and  I  am  highly  indebted 
"to  your  favorable  opinions. 

"  Every  circumstance  contributes  to 
"render  my  stay  in  Savannah  agreeable,  and  it 
"  is  cause  of  regret  to  me  that  it  must  be  so 
"short. 

"My  best  wishes  are  offered  for  the  welfare 
"of  the  fraternity,  and  for  your  particular  happiness." 


46  Address  and  Reply,  Letter  Book  II,  folio  77-78. 


68 


0> 

*-    d 

LU 

•       QC 
Q        LU 


O        « 
O>        UJ 

h»     tr 


< 

co 

I 

-ZL 

CL 

•z. 

LU 

—  J 
UJ 

Q_ 

Q 

5 

LL 

O 

LU 

I 

D 

0. 

3 

^_ 

Q 

Z 

UJ 
0 

i 

Ul 

UJ 

Q 

1"" 

CO 

[  1  1 

LL. 

o 

DC 
CO 

ESSES 

00 

1 

7 

cc. 

o 

h 

Q 
Q 

I 

CD 

Z 

O 

I 
CO 
^f 

o 

CO 

«! 

\-  H 

Z  LU 

UJ  CC 

Q  y 


IX 

CORRESPONDENCE  WITH  GRAND  LODGE  OF  PENNSYL 
VANIA,  JANUARY  3,  1792. 

URING  the  Presidential  term  of  Brother 
WASHINGTON,  the  President,  when  in 
Philadelphia,  lived  in  a  large  double  three- 
story  brick  mansion,  on  the  south  side  of 
Market  Street,  sixty  feet  east  of  Sixth  Street,  the 
site  of  which  is  now  occupied  by  three  stores,  viz.: 
Nos.  526,  528,  530. 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania  then  held  its 
meetings  in  the  upper  floor  of  the  Meeting  house  of 
the  Free  Quakers,  still  standing,  at  the  southwest 
corner  of  Arch  and  Fifth  Streets;  this  was  but  a 
short  distance  from  the  presidential  mansion. 
Brother  WASHINGTON  was  undoubtedly  personally 
acquainted  with  many  of  its  members,  especially 
such  as  had  been  officers  during  the  Revolution,  and 
were  fellow  members  of  the  Cincinnati. 

On  St.  John's  Day,  December  27,  1791,  a  Grand 
Lodge  was  opened  in  ample  form,47  and  the  Minutes 

47  Reprint  of  Minutes  of  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania,  Vol.  I,  p. 
178. 

69 


flDasontc  Correspondence  of  Washington 

of  the  last  Grand  Communication  were  read,  as  far 
as  concerns  the  election  of  Grand  Officers. 

The  Grand  Officers  upon  this  occasion  were: 

Brother  Jonathan  Bayard  Smith,  B.  W.  Grand 
Master. 

Brother  Joseph  Few,  Deputy  Grand  Master. 

Brother  Thomas  Procter,  Senior  Grand  Warden. 

Brother  Gavin  Hamilton,  Junior  Grand  Warden. 

Brother  Peter  Le  Barbier  Duplessis,  Grand  Sec- 
retary. 

Brother  Benjamin  Mason,  Grand  Treasurer. 

The  Rev.  Brother  Dr.  William  Smith  then  ad 
dressed  the  Brethren  in  an  oration  suitable  to  the 
Grand  Day,  and  the  thanks  of  the  Lodge  were  given 
to  said  Brother  William  Smith  for  the  same. 

After  which,  on  motion  and  seconded,  the  Rev. 
Brother  Dr.  Smith  and  the  Right  Worshipful  Grand 
Officers  were  appointed  a  Committee  to  prepare  an 
address  to  our  Illustrious  Brother  GEORGE  WASH 
INGTON,  President  of  the  United  States;  and  this 
Lodge  was  adjourned  to  the  second  day  of  January 
next  to  receive  the  report  of  said  Committee. 

"PHILADELPHIA,  January  2d,  1792. 
ff  Grand  Lodge  >  By  Adjournment** 

"A  Grand  Lodge  was  opened  in  ample  form,  and 
the  Minutes  of  St.  John's  Day  being  read  as  far  as 
relates  to  the  appointment  of  a  Committee  to  pre 
pare  an  Address  to  our  illustrious  Brother  George 

48  Ibid.,  p.  180. 

70 


Mitb  Iking  2>avi&'s  Xo&gc 


Washington,  The  Revd.  Bro.  Dr.  Wm.  Smith,  one  of 
the  said  Committee,  presented  the  Draft  of  one 
which  was  read,  Whereupon,  on  Motion  and  Sec 
onded,  the  same  was  unanimously  approved  of,  and 
Resolved,  That  the  R*.  W\  Grand  Master,  Depy.  G. 
Master,  and  Grand  Officers,  with  the  Revd  Bro. 
Smith,  be  a  Committee  to  present  the  said  Address 
in  behalf  of  this  IT.  W\  Grand  Lodge,  signed  by  the 
Right  Worshipful  Grand  Master,  and  Countersigned 
by  the  Grand  Secretary. 

"  Lodge  closed  at  half  past  9  o'clock  in  Harmony." 

Following  is  the  address  presented  to  Brother 
WASHINGTON.  Both  the  original  draft  in  the  hand 
writing  of  Brother  William  Smith,  showing  minor 
alterations,  as  well  as  a  fair  copy,  are  in  the  archives 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania.49 

"  To  His  EXCELLENCY  GEORGE  WASHINGTON,  PRES 
IDENT  or  THE  UNITED  STATES. 
"Sir  and  Brother: 

"  The  Ancient  York  Masons  of  the  Jurisdiction  of 
Pennsylvania,  for  the  first  time  assembled  in  Gen 
eral  Communication  to  celebrate  the  Feast  of  Sfc. 
John  the  Evangelist,  since  your  Election  to  the 
Chair  of  Government  in  the  United  States,  beg 
leave  to  approach  you  with  Congratulations  from 
the  East,  and  in  the  pride  of  Fraternal  affection  to 
hail  you  as  the  Great  Master  Builder  (under  the 
Supreme  Architect)  by  whose  labours  the  Temple  of 

49Mss.  Volume  A,  folio  17,  19,  21. 

71 


flDasonic  Correspondence  of  Washington 

Liberty  hath  been  reared  in  the  West,  exhibiting  to 
the  Nations  of  the  Earth  a  Model  of  Beauty,  Order 
and  Harmony  worthy  of  their  Imitation  and  Praise. 
"Your  Knowledge  of  the  Origin  and  Objects  of 
our  Institution;  its  Tendency  to  promote  the  Social 
Affections  and  harmonize  the  Heart,  give  us  a  sure 
pledge  that  this  tribute  of  our  Veneration,  this  Effu 
sion  of  our  Love  will  not  be  ungrateful  to  you;  nor 
will  Heaven  reject  our  Prayer  that  you  may  be  long 
continued  to  adorn  the  bright  list  of  Master  work 
men  which  our  Fraternity  in  the  terrestrial  Lodge; 
and  that  you  may  be  late  removed  to  that  Celestial 
Lodge  where  love  and  Harmony  reign  transcendent 
and  Divine;  where  the  great  Architect  more  imme 
diately  presides,  and  where  Cherubim  and  Seraphim, 
wafting  our  Congratulations  from  Earth  to  Heaven,, 
shall  hail  you  Brother. 

"By  order  and  in  behalf  of  the  Grand 
( Seal)  "  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania  in  general  Com- 

"  munication  assembled  in  ample  form. 


(Signed) 


Attest: 


Gd.  Secry. 


72 


IJ 

'If  0- 


V 


«7 


k 


it  1 


ce  of 


Wb 


1,4 


fl  If 

m 


3 

%*  5 


4b     ^ 

4>  ^ 


&    & 


Witb  tbe  <5ranZ>  Xo&0e  of  Pennsylvania 

On  January  3,  1792,  Jonathan  Bayard  Smith,  the 
Right  Worshipful  Grand  Master,  together  with  the 
Grand  Officers  and  Rev.  Brother  William  Smith 
called  on  the  President  and  delivered  the  above 
address. 

The  deputation  was  received  in  the  dining  room 
of  the  presidential  mansion.  This  was  a  room  about 
thirty  feet  long,  and  where  WASHINGTON  was  ac 
customed  to  receive  delegations. 

At  the  Quarterly  Communication  held  March  5, 
1792,  the  Right  Worshipful  Grand  Master  Jona 
than  B.  Smith  informed  the  Brethren  that,  in  con 
formity  to  the  resolve  of  this  Grand  Lodge,  he  had, 
in  company  with  the  Grand  Officers  and  the  Rev. 
Brother  Dr.  Smith,  presented  the  address  to  our 
illustrious  Brother  GEORGE  WASHINGTON  and  had 
received  an  answer,  which  was  read. 

"  TO  THE  ANCIENT  YORK  MASONS   OF  THE 

"JURISDICTION  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 
ff  Gentlemen  and  Brothers, 

"I  receive  your  kind  Congratulations  with 
"the  purest  sensations  of  fraternal  affection: —  and 
"  from  a  heart  deeply  impressed  with  your  generous 
"  wishes  for  my  present  and  future  happiness,  I  beg 
"you  to  accept  my  thanks. 

"At  the  same  time  I  request  you  will 
"  be  assured  of  my  best  wishes  and  earnest  prayers 
"  for  your  happiness  while  you  remain  in  this  terres- 

73 


fiDasonic  Gorreepon&ence  of  Washington 


/u 


t/tfVcei 


/ 

Av 
/U 

We  a£ 

*/ 


Q 


FAC-SIMILE  OF  WASHINGTON'S  REPLY  TO  GRAND  LODGE  OF  PENNSYLVANIA, 
JANUARY,  1792.     ORIGINAL  IN  ARCHIVES  OF  THE  GRAND  LODGE. 

74 


WASHINGTON'S    MASONIC    APRON. 

EMBROIDERED    BY    MADAM    LAFAYETTE;    PRESENTED    AUGUST,    1784,    BY 

BRO.   GEN.    LAFAYETTE  TO   BRO.   GEN.   WASHINGTON; 

PRESENTED    OCTOBER    26,    1816,    BY    THE    LEGATEES    OF    BRO.    WASHINGTON    TO    THE 

WASHINGTON   BENEVOLENT   SOCIETY  OF  PENNSYLVANIA; 

PRESENTED    JULY    3,    1829,    BY    THE    WASHINGTON    BENEVOLENT    SOCIETY    TO    THE 

R.   W.    GRAND    LODGE,    F.   &.   A.    M.   OF   PENNSYLVANIA. 

ORIGINAL    APRON    IN    MUSEUM    OF    THE    GRAND    LODGE. 


Witb  tbe  <5ran&  XoDge  of  Pennsylvania 

"  tial  Mansion,  and  that  we  may  thereafter  meet 
"  as  brethren  in  the  Eternal  Temple  of  the 
"  Supreme  Architect. 


Whereupon,  on  motion  and  seconded,  Resolved, 
unanimously,  that  the  said  address  and  the  answer 
thereto,  shall  be  entered  on  the  minutes. 

This  answer,  in  possession  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Pennsylvania,  is  in  the  handwriting  of  Tobias  Lear, 
who  was  the  private  secretary  of  the  President,  and 
for  years  attended  to  the  details  of  WASHINGTON'S 
domestic  affairs,  and  was  liberally  remembered  by 
him  in  his  will. 

The  letter  was  signed  by  WASHINGTON,  who  had 
both  the  address  and  answer  copied  verbatim  in  one 
of  his  letter  books50  by  Bartholomew  Dandridge,  sec 
retary  to  the  President.  A  photostat  copy  of  above, 
together  with  the  original  answer  by  WASHINGTON 
is  in  the  Archives  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Penn 
sylvania. 

This  address  was  read  by  Rev.  Brother  William 
Smith,  one  of  the  most  noted  Episcopal  preachers  in 
Philadelphia,  and  the  first  Provost  of  the  College  of 
Philadelphia,  now  the  University  of  Pennsylvania. 
Brother  William  Smith,  D.D.,  had  been  an  active 

so  Letter  Book  II,  pp.  104-105. 

75 


fiDasonfc  Correspondence  of 


member  of  the  Masonic  Fraternity  in  Pennsylvania 
for  forty  years;  he  was  the  Chaplain  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Moderns  for  almost  a  quarter  of  a  century. 
In  winter  of  1778  he  joined  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Ancient  York  Masons,  and  for  some  time  served  as 
Grand  Secretary.51 

Jonathan  Bayard  Smith,  the  Grand  Master  of 
Pennsylvania,  was  one  of  Philadelphia's  prominent 
citizens.  During  the  Revolutionary  period  he  was 
an  ardent  patriot;  he  was  among  the  earliest  of  those 
who  espoused  the  cause  of  independence.  In  1775 
he  was  chosen  secretary  of  the  Committee  of  Safety, 
and  in  February,  1777,  he  was  elected  by  the  as 
sembly  a  delegate  to  the  Continental  Congress.  He 
was  a  second  time  chosen  to  this  post,  serving  in  the 
congresses  of  1777-8.  From  April  4,  1777,  till  Nov. 
13,  1778,  he  was  prothonotary  of  the  court  of  Com 
mon  Pleas. 

On  December  1,  1777,  he  presided  at  the  public 
meeting,  in  Philadelphia,  of  "Real  Whigs,"  by 
whom  it  was  resolved  "That  it  be  recommended  to 
the  council  of  safety  that  in  this  great  emergency 
.  .  .  every  person  between  the  age  of  sixteen  and 
fifty  years  be  ordered  out  under  arms."  During  this 
year  he  was  commissioned  lieutenant-colonel  of  a 
battalion  of  "  Associators." 

In  1778  he  was  appointed  a  justice  of  the  court 
of  Common  Pleas,  Quarter  Sessions,  and  Orphans' 

si  Cf  .  "  Old  Masonic  Lodges  of  Pennsylvania,"  Vol.  I,  p.  201. 

76 


i 


B.    FEB.    21,    1742;    D.   JUNE    16,    1812. 
GRAND    MASTER    OF    MASONS    IN    PENNSYLVANIA,    1789-1794. 


Witb  tbe  <5ran&  XO&QC  of  Pennsylvania 

Court,  which  post  he  held  for  many  years.  He  was 
appointed  in  1781,  one  of  the  auditors  of  the  accounts 
of  Pennsylvania  troops  in  the  service  of  the  United 
States.  In  1792,  and  subsequently,  he  was  chosen 
an  alderman  of  the  city,  which  was  an  office  of  great 
dignity  in  his  day,  and  in  1794  he  was  elected 
auditor-general  of  Pennsylvania. 

Brother  Jonathan  B.  Smith  was  an  active  mem 
ber  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania.  He  was 
the  Senior  Grand  Warden  in  1786,  at  the  time  when 
the  Provincial  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania:  "Re 
solved,  that  the  Grand  Lodge  is,  and  ought  to  be 
perfectly  independent  and  free  of  any  such  foreign 
jurisdiction."52 

In  the  two  following  years  he  was  appointed 
Deputy  Grand  Master  by  Right  Worshipful  Grand 
Master  William  Adcock;  he  was  elected  Right  Wor 
shipful  Grand  Master  in  1789  and  served  in  that 
capacity  for  six  years  (1789-1794).  In  the  year 
1798  he  was  again  elected  to  that  honorable  office, 
serving  five  more  consecutive  years  (1798  to  1802), 
when  he  declined  reelection.  The  following  action 
was  taken  by  the  Grand  Lodge:53 

"On  Motion  made  and  Seconded  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Pennsylvania  impressed  with  a  grateful 
sense  of  the  long  assiduous  and  highly  useful  labours 
of  their  late  R.  W.  Grand  Master,  Bror  Jonathan 

52  Cf.  Reprint  of  Minutes  of  Grand  Lodge,  Vol.  I,  p.  96  et  seq. 

53  Ibid.,  Vol.  II,  p.  68. 

77    ' 


flDasonic  Correspondence  of  Wasbington 

Bayard  Smith,  Esqr,  previous  to  and  during  his 
service  in  the  high  Station  which  he  has  left,  Re 
solved  Unanimously,  That  the  most  respectful 
Thanks  of  the  said  G.  Lodge  be  presented  to  their 
said  Brother  Jonathan  Bayard  Smith  for  the  emi 
nent  services  he  has  rendered  to  the  Craft  generally 
and  more  especially  for  the  able,  diligent  and  im 
partial  manner  in  which  he  has  discharged  the  Duties 
of  the  Chair  and  while  they  deplore  the  necessity  of 
his  now  retiring  from  the  Official  Station  amongst 
them  which  he  has  so  Honourably  filled,  they  hope 
for  a  continuance  of  his  Brotherly  Love,  Aid  and 
information  and  finally  that  he  be  requested  to  re 
ceive  the  best  wishes  of  the  Grand  Lodge  for  a  pro 
longation  of  his  useful  life,  a  commensurate  enjoy 
ment  of  his  Health  and  his  final  Happiness  in  the 
Mansion  of  Everlasting  Rest." 

Brother  Joseph  Few,  Deputy  Grand  Master,  was 
also  a  Revolutionary  Soldier,  having  served  as  Regi 
mental  Quarter  Master  with  the  4th  Continental 
Artillery. 

Brother  Thomas  Procter,  Senior  Grand  Warden, 
formerly  Colonel  of  the  Pennsylvania  Artillery,  and 
Warrant  Master  of  the  Military  Lodge,  No.  19, 
upon  the  Roster  of  Pennsylvania  was  prominent  in 
both  civil  and  political  affairs  during  Washington's 
administration.  A  full  account  of  Brother  Thomas 

Procter  and  this  Military  Lodge  will  be  found  in 

78 


Washington's  IPast  flDaster's  Jewel 

the  History  of  the  Old  Masonic  Lodges  of  Pennsyl 
vania,  published  by  the  Grand  Lodge  in  1913.54 

For  a  sketch  of  Brother  Peter  Le  Barbier  Duples- 
sis,  the  reader  is  referred  to  the  same  volume.55 

5* Volume  II,  Chapter  XXVI,  pp.  1-36.    Cf.  also  "Freemasonry  in 
Pennsylvania,"  Vol.  I  and  II,  for  various  references  to  Col.  Procter. 
55  Cf.  "  Old  Lodges,"  Vol.  II,  pp.  256  et  seq. 


WASHINGTON'S  PAST  MASTER'S  JEWEL. 
Replica  in  the  Museum  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania. 


79 


X 

CORRESPONDENCE  WITH  GRAND  LODGE  OF  MASSA 
CHUSETTS,  DECEMBER,  1792. 

Grand  Lodge  held  at  Concert  Hall,  Bos 
ton,  10th  of  December,  5792,  being  a 
Quarterly  Communication  it  was 

"Resolved,  That  the  Grand  Master, 
with  the  Grand  Wardens,  present  to  our  Most  Be 
loved  Brother 

GEORGE  WASHINGTON, 

the  new  Book  of  Constitutions,  with  a  suitable 
address. 

At  the  next  Quarterly  Communication  we  find 
that, 

"Agreeably  to  a  resolve  at  the  last  Quarterly 
Communication,  the  Grand  Master,  with  his  War 
dens,  reported: 

'  That  they  had  written  to  our  beloved  President 
and  Brother,  George  Washington,  and  presented 

80 


Witb  tbe  (5ran&  %o&(je  of 


him  with  a  Book  of  Constitutions,  to  which  letter  he 
had  been  pleased  to  make  answer.  The  letter  and 
answer  were  read,  and  Voted  to  be  inserted  in  the 
records  of  the  Grand  Lodge." 

This  address  was  evidently  sent  to  President 
WASHINGTON  at  Philadelphia,  and  was  answered 
from  the  presidential  office  in  that  city.  No  date 
nor  place  appears  upon  either  the  original  so  far  as 
known,  nor  the  copy  in  the  letter  book,  both  address 
and  reply  therein  being  in  the  handwriting  of  Bar 
tholomew  Dandridge,  Secretary  to  the  President. 

The  following  copy  of  both  address  and  reply  are 
taken  from  Letter  Book  II,  folio  106-108. 

"  An  Address  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Free  & 
"  Accepted  Masons  for  the  Commonwealth 
"  of  Massachusetts,  To  their  honored  and 
"Illustrious  Brother. 

GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 

"  Whilst  the  Historian  is  describing  the 
"career  of  your  glory,  and  the  inhabitants 
"of  an  extensive  Empire  are  made  happy 
"in  your  unexampled  exertions:  —  whilst  some 
"  celebrate  the  Hero  so  distinguished  in  li- 
"  berating  United  America  ;  and  others  the  Patriot 
"  who  presides  over  her  Councils,  a  Band  of  bro- 
"thers,  having  always  joined  the  acclamations 
"  of  their  countrymen,  now  testify  their  res- 

7  81 


flDaeonfc  Correspondence  of  Washington 

"pect  for  those  milder  virtues  which  have 
"ever  graced  the  man. 

"Taught  by  the  precepts  of  our  Society; 
"  that  all  its  members  stand  upon  a  level,  we 
"venture  to  assume  this  station  &  to  approach 
"you  with  that  freedom  which  diminishes 
"our  diffidence  without  lessening  our  respect. 

"Desirous  to  enlarge  the  boundaries  of 
"  social  happiness,  and  to  vindicate  the  cere- 
"  monies  of  their  institution,  this  Grand  Lodge 
"have  published  a  "Book  of  Constitutions,"  (and 
"  a  copy  for  your  acceptance  accompanies 
"this)  which  by  discovering  the  principles  that 
"actuate  will  speak  the  Eulogy  of  the  Society; 
"  though  they  fervently  wish  the  conduct  of  its ; 
"  Members  may  prove  its  higher  commendation. 

"  Convinced  of  his  attachment  to  its 
"  cause,  and  readiness  to  encourage  its  bene- 
"volent  designs;  they  have  taken  the  liberty  to 
"  dedicate  this  work  to  one,  the  qualities  of 
"  whose  heart  and  the  actions  of  whose  life 
"have  contributed  to  improve  personal  virtue, 
"  and  extend  throughout  the  world,  the  most  endear- 
"ing  cordialities;  and  they  humbly  hope  he  will 
"  pardon  this  freedom,  and  accept  the  tribute  of 
"their  esteem  &  homage. 

"May  the  supreme  architect  of  the  uni- 
"  verse  protect  &  bless  you,  give  you  length  of 
"  days  &  increase  of  Felicity  in  this  world,  and  then 

82 


Mitb  tbe  <5rant>  %o&0e  of  flDassacbusetts 


"  receive  you  to  the  harmonious  &  exalted  So- 
"ciety  in  Heaven. — 

"JOHN  CUTLER,  Grand  Master 

"JosiAH  BARTLETT! 

"MuNGO  MACHEY] 
"Boston 
"Decem.  27,  A.D.  1792." 


Wardens. 


The  following  reply  was  sent  by  President 
WASHINGTON  from  Philadelphia  to  the  Brethren  of 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  Massachusetts.  It  will  be 
noticed  that  there  was  no  date  or  place  mentioned 
upon  the  copy  in  the  Letter  Book,  nor  on  the  orig 
inal  letter,  which  at  present  is  believed  to  be  in  the 
Library  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Massachusetts. 


WASHINGTON'S  REPLY 
To  THE  GRAND  LODGE  OF  FREE  &  ACCEPTED  MA- 

"SONS,  FOR  THE   COMMONWEALTH   OF   MASSACHU- 
"  SETTS. 

"  Flattering  as  it  may  be  to  the  human 
mind,  &  truly  honorable  as  it  is  to  receive 
from  our  fellow  citizens  testimonies  of  appro 
bation  for  exertions  to  promote  the  public  wel 
fare,  it  is  not  less  pleasing  to  know,  that  the 
milder  virtues  of  the  heart  are  highly  respected 
by  a  Society  whose  liberal  principles  must  be 
founded  in  the  immutable  laws  of  truth  and 
justice.— 


83 


WASHINGTON^  EEPLY  TO  THE  GRAND  LODGE  OF  MASSACHUSETTS. 
LETTER  BOOK  II,  FoLA)  108. 


Witb  tbe  <5ran&  XO&QC  of 


"To  enlarge  the  sphere  of  social  happi 
ness  is  worthy  the  benevolent  design  of  a  ma 
sonic  institution;  and  it  is  most  fervently  to 
be  wished,  that  the  conduct  of  every  member 
of  the  fraternity,  as  well  as  those  publications 
that  discover  the  principles  which  actuate  them; 
may  tend  to  convince  mankind  that  the  grand 
object  of  Masonry  is  to  promote  the  happiness 
of  the  human  race. 

"While  I  beg  your  acceptance  of 
my  thanks  for  the  "  Book  of  Constitutions  "  which 
you  have  sent  me,  &  the  honor  you  have  done 
me  in  the  dedication,  permit  me  to  assure  you 
that  I  feel  all  those  emotions  of  gratitude 
which  your  affectionate  address  &  cordial 
wishes  are  calculated  to  inspire;  and  I 
sincerely  pray  that  the  Great  Architect 
of  the  Universe  may  bless  you  here,  and 
receive  you  hereafter  into  his  immortal 
Temple. 


-> 

No  fac-simile  copy  of  the  original  letter  was  ob 
tainable  for  the  Collection  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Pennsylvania. 


85 


XI 

CORRESPONDENCE  WITH  GRAND  LODGE  OF  PENNSYL 
VANIA,  DECEMBER,  1796. 

EPTEMBER  18,  1796,  President  WASH 
INGTON  issued  his  farewell  address.  His 
second  term  was  drawing  to  a  close;  the 
term  had  been  a  more  or  less  exciting 
one:  The  passing  of  the  Neutrality  Act;  Genet's 
appeal  from  the  executive  to  the  people;  the  Fugi 
tive  Slave  Act;  the  whiskey  insurrection  in  western 
Pennsylvania;  the  adoption  of  the  Eleventh  amend 
ment;  the  purchase  of  peace  from  Algiers,  Tripoli 
and  Tunis;  the  troubles  with  Great  Britain  about 
the  non-delivery  of  the  military  posts  and  later  the 
Jay  Treaty,  all  came  within  President  WASHING 
TON'S  second  and  last  term.55a 

During  these  troublous  times  WASHINGTON  had 
no  stauncher  supporters  than  his  Masonic  Brethren 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania.  Further, 
that  WASHINGTON  kept  more  or  less  in  touch  with 

65a  Cf .  The  Religious  and  Social  Conditions  of  Philadelphia,  under  the 
Federal  Constitution,  1790-1800.  Julius  F.  Sachse,  Philadelphia,  1900. 

86 


Witb  tbe  <5ratU>  %o&0c  of  Pennsylvania 

his  Masonic  Brethren  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Penn 
sylvania  is  shown  by  the  fact  that  he  attended  the 
services  at  St.  Paul's  Episcopal  Church,  on  Third 
Street  below  Walnut,  on  St.  John's  Day,  December 
27,  1793,  where  a  charity  sermon  was  preached  by 
Rev.  Brother  Samuel  Magaw,  D.D.,  Vice-Provost 
of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  before  the  Grand 
and  Subordinate  Lodges  for  the  purpose  of  increas 
ing  the  relief  fund,  for  the  widows  and  orphans  of 
the  yellow  fever  epidemic  which  ravaged  the  capital 
city  during  the  past  summer.56 

When  the  Brethren  found  that  WASHINGTON 
positively  declined  reelection  in  1796,  and  that  John 
Adams  was  elected  to  succeed  him  on  the  fourth  of 
March  following,  the  Brethren  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
at  their  Quarterly  Communication,  December  5, 
1796,  determined  that  it  would  be  right  and  proper 
to  present  him  with  an  address  before  his  retirement 
from  office,  whereupon,  it  was  resolved:  "On  Motion 
and  seconded,  that  a  Committee  be  appointed  to 
frame  an  Address  to  be  presented  on  the  ensuing 
Feast  of  Sl  John,  Decem*  27th,  to  the  Great  Master 
Workman,  our  Illustrious  Br.  Washington,  on  the 
occasion  of  his  intended  retirement  from  Public 
Labor,  to  be  also  laid  before  the  said  Grand  Lodge 
on  St  John's  Day,  and  the  B,1  W.  Grand  Master, 
Deputy  G.  M.  Brs  Sadler,  Milnor  and  Williams, 
were  accordingly  appointed." 

ss  Cf.  "  Freemasonry  in  Pennsylvania,"  before  quoted,  Vol.  II,  pp. 
190-197;  original  copy  in  archives  of  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania. 

87 


HDaeontc  Correspondence  of  Washington 

At  a  Grand  Lodge  held  on  St.  John's  Day,  Phila 
delphia,  December  27,  5796,  "The  Committee  ap 
pointed  to  prepare  an  Address  to  our  Brother 
George  Washington,  President  of  the  United  States, 
presented  an  Address  by  them  drawn  up,  which  was 
ordered  to  be  read,  and  was  in  the  words  following, 
to  wit: 

"To    GEORGE    WASHINGTON    PRESIDENT    or    THE 

UNITED  STATES. 
"The  Address  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsyl- 


"  vania. 


"Most  Respected  Sir  and  Brother, 

"  Having  announced  your  intention  to  retire  from 
"Public  Labour  to  that  Refreshment  to  which  your 
"  preeminent  Services  for  near  Half  a  Century  have 
"so  justly  entitled  you.  Permit  the  Grand  Lodge 
"  of  Pennsylvania  at  this  last  Feast  of  our  Evangelic 
"  Master  St.  John,  on  which  we  can  hope  for  an  im- 
" mediate  Communication  with  you  to  join  the  grate- 
"ful  Voice  of  our  Country  in  Acknowledging  that 
"  you  have  carried  forth  the  Principles  of  the  Lodge 
"into  every  Walk  of  your  Life,  by  your  constant 
"Labours  for  the  Prosperity  of  that  Country,  by 
"your  unremitting  Endeavours  to  promote  Order, 
"Union  and  Brotherly  Affection  amongst  us,  and 
"lastly  by  the  Vows  of  your  Farewell  Address  to 
"your  Brethren  and  Fellow  Citizens.  An  Address 
"which  we  trust  Our  Children  and  Our  Childrens 

88 


REV.    BRO.    WILLIAM    SMITH,    D.  D. 

B.    ABERDEEN,    SCOTLAND,    1727.         D.    PHILADELPHIA,    MAY    14,    1803. 

GRAND   CHAPLAIN    "MODERNS,"    1755.      GRAND   SECRETARY    "ANCIENTS,"    1779-1784. 

WHO    PRESENTED   THE    PENNSYLVANIA   ADDRESSES   TO    BRO.    WASHINGTON,    1792-1796. 


Wttb  tbe  <5ran&  Xo&ge  of  Pennsylvania 

Children  will  ever  look  upon  as  a  most  invaluable 
Legacy  from  a  Friend  a  Benefactor  and  a  Father. 

"To  these  our  grateful  Acknowledgments  (leav 
ing  to  the  impartial  Pen  of  History  to  record  the 
important  Events  in  which  you  have  borne  so  illus 
trious  a  part)  permit  us  to  add  our  most  fervent 
prayers,  that  after  enjoying  to  the  utmost  of 
Human  Life,  every  Felicity  which  the  Terrestial 
Lodge  can  afford,  you  may  be  received  by  the 
great  Master  Builder  of  this  World  and  of  Worlds 
unnumbered,  into  the  Ample  Felicity  of  that  Celes 
tial  Lodge  in  which  alone  distinguished  Virtues  and 
distinguished  Labours  can  be  eternally  rewarded. 

"By  unanimous  order  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Pennsylvania  at  their  communication  held  the  27th 
Day  of  December  Anno  Domini  5796. 


It  was  then  moved  and  seconded  that  the  same  be 
adopted.  Upon  the  question  being  taken  it  ap 
peared  that  it  was  approved  of.  On  motion  and 
seconded,  it  was  agreed  that  a  committee  be  appointed 
to  wait  on  Brother  WASHINGTON  to  acquaint  him 
that  it  is  the  intention  of  this  Grand  Lodge  to  pre 
sent  an  address  to  him,  and  to  know  what  time  he 

89 


flDasontc  Corresponbence  of  Washington 

shall  be  pleased  to  appoint  to  receive  it.  The  com 
mittee  appointed  to  perform  this  duty  were  Brothers 
William  Smith,  Peter  Le  Barbier  Duplessis  and 
Thomas  Procter,  who,  after  having  waited  on  him, 
reported  that  he  had  appointed  to-morrow,  December 
28,  1796,  at  twelve  o'clock  to  receive  it.  Said  com 
mittee,  to  wit,  Brothers  W.  Smith,  Duplessis  and 
Procter,  together  with  Right  Worshipful  Grand 
Master,  Deputy  Grand  Master,  and  Junior  War 
dens,  Grand  Secretary  and  the  Masters  of  the  differ 
ent  Lodges  in  the  City,  were  then  appointed  a  Depu 
tation  to  present  the  said  Address. 

This  deputation  consisted  of  Right  Worshipful 
Grand  Master  William  Moore  Smith,  Gavin  Hamil 
ton,  Deputy  Grand  Master,  Thomas  Town,  Senior 
Grand  Warden,  Thomas  Armstrong,  Esqr.,  Junior 
Grand  Warden,  George  A.  Baker,  Grand  Secretary, 
John  McElwee,  Grand  Treasurer,  and  the  following 
Masters  of  the  Philadelphia  Lodges,  viz. :  David  Ir- 
win,  No.  2,  Israel  Israel,  No.  3,  Andrew  Nilson  No. 
9,  Eleaser  Oswald,  No.  19,  Cadawalder  Griffith,  No. 
52,  Richard  E.  Cusack,  No.  59,  Thomas  Bradley, 
No.  67,  William  Nelson,  No.  71;  together  with  the 
appointed  Committee,  Brothers  William  Smith  D.D., 
Le  Barbier  Duplessis  and  Thomas  Procter. 

President  WASHINGTON  received  the  august  depu 
tation  of  the  Brethren  at  the  appointed  time;  the 
address  was  read  before  him  by  the  Rev.  Brother 
William  Smith,  D.D.,  whereupon  he  returned  them 

90 


Wttb  tbe  <5ranJ>  Xo&ge  of  Pennsylvania 


FAC-SIMILE  OF  WASHINGTON'S  REPLY  TO  GRAND  LODGE  OF  PENNSYLVANIA, 

DECEMBER,  1796.     ORIGINAL  IN  ARCHIVES  OF  THE  GRAND  LODGE 

OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

91 


flDasonic  Correspon&ence  of  Washington 


a  reply.  This  document,  still  in  the  Library  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania,  is  entirely  in  the 
handwriting  of  WASHINGTON  and  signed  by  him, 


viz.: 


FELLOW-CITIZENS  AND  BROTHERS, 

"OF  THE  GRAND  LODGE  or  PENNSYLVANIA. 

"I  have  received  your  address 
with  all  the  feelings  of  brotherly  affection, 
mingled  with  those  sentiments,  for  the 
Society,  which  it  was  calculated  to  excite. 

"  To  have  been,  in  any  degree,  an 
instrument  in  the  hands  of  Providence, 
to  promote  order  and  union,  and  erect  upon 
a  solid  foundation  the  true  principles  of 
government,  is  only  to  have  shared  with 
many  others  in  a  labour,  the  result  of 
which  let  us  hope,  will  prove  through 
all  ages,  a  sanctuary  for  brothers  and 
a  lodge  for  the  virtues, — 

"  Permit  me  to  reciprocate  your 
prayers  for  my  temporal  happiness, 
and  to  supplicate  that  we  may  all 
meet  thereafter  in  that  eternal  temple, 
whose  builder  is  the  great  architect 
of  the  Universe." 


Witb  tbe  <5ran&  XO&QC  of  Pennsylvania 

Brother  William  Moore  Smith,  Right  Worshipful 
Grand  Master  of  Pennsylvania,  whose  first  official 
act  as  Grand  Master  was  to  head  the  committee  to 
call  on  the  President,  was  a  son  of  the  Rev.  William 
Smith,  D.D.,  born  in  Philadelphia,  June  1,  1759. 
He  was  a  lawyer  by  profession  and  served  as  Deputy 
Grand  Master  for  the  year  1795  under  the  Vener 
able  William  Ball,  and  as  Right  Worshipful  Grand 
Master  for  the  years  1796-1797.  He  was  appointed 
by  the  President  as  agent  for  the  settlement  of  claims 
that  were  provided  for  in  the  Sixth  Article  of  John 
Jay's  Treaty,  and  visited  England  in  1803  to  close 
the  commission.  He  died  at  the  Smith  Homestead 
at  Falls  of  Schuylkill,  March  12,  1821. 

Both  the  address  and  reply  were  copied  in  WASH 
INGTON'S  Letter  Book  III,  pp.  244-245,  in  the 
handwriting  of  one  of  his  secretaries,  G.  W.  Craik, 
a  son  of  Dr.  James  Craik,  WASHINGTON'S  "compa 
triot  in  arms,  and  old  and  intimate  friend,"  who  at 
tended  him  during  his  last  illness. 

Photostat  copies  of  above  are  in  the  Library  of 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania,  also  the  original 
draft  of  the  address,  presented  to  the  President 
(Mss.  Volume  A,  folio  23). 

This  autograph  Masonic  letter  from  WASHINGTON 
to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania  has  been  re 
produced  in  fac-simile,  published  and  circulated  (in 
most  cases  without  the  knowledge  or  consent  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania)  more  widely  than 

93 


flDasontc  Correspondence  of  Wasbtnflton 

any  other  known  letter  of  WASHINGTON.  Some  of 
these  copies  are  treasured  by  their  owners  under  the 
impression  that  they  have  the  original  letter.  Sev 
eral  cases  of  this  kind  have  of  late  come  under  the 
notice  of  the  writer.  In  one  case  where  one  of  these 
reproductions  was  offered  for  sale,  hundreds  of  dol 
lars  were  asked  for  the  reproduction,  and  it  was 
with  great  difficulty  that  the  owner  could  be  con 
vinced  of  its  character. 

Another  use  made  of  this  letter  by  unprincipled 
persons  was  to  make  a  photo-lithographic  copy  of 
the  letter,  and  substitute  the  name  of  another  state 
for  that  of  Pennsylvania,  and  then  palm  it  off  upon 
the  authorities  of  that  state  as  an  original  letter  to 
their  Grand  Lodge.  The  latest  case  of  this  kind 
known  to  the  writer  is  that  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Georgia,  who  were  thus  imposed  upon. 

Then  again  the  letter  has  been  extensively  used 
for  advertising  purposes  by  publishing  houses  of 
Masonic  literature. 

The  letter  has  also  been  printed  in  most  all  books 
bearing  upon  Masonic  history  during  the  revolu 
tionary  period. 

It  was  also  frequently  quoted  and  criticised  dur 
ing  the  Anti-Masonic  craze  which  swept  over  the 
country  some  eighty-odd  years  ago,  it  being  the  chief 
Masonic  letter  of  the  five  known  to  the  leaders  of 
those  misguided  persons.  The  main  point  of  their 
argument  was  that  it  bore  no  date  and  therefore  was 
not  authentic. 

94 


Z     9- 

£  § 

>     o 


M 

§1 

co 

O 

Z 


XII 

CORRESPONDENCE  WITH  ALEXANDRIA  LODGE,  No.  22, 

VIRGINIA. 

PON  pages  244  and  245  of  WASHINGTON'S 
folio  Letter  Book  No.  Ill  in  the  Library 
of  Congress  are  recorded  a  letter  and 
address  to  WASHINGTON  from  the  Master 
of  Alexandria  Lodge,  No.  22,  of  Virginia,  together 
with  WASHINGTON'S  reply. 

WASHINGTON  and  his  family  had  left  Philadelphia, 
Thursday,  March  9,  1797,  for  Mount  Vernon,  and 
arrived  at  Baltimore,  Sunday,  March  12,  and  at 
Mount  Vernon,  March  15,  where  he  again  settled 
down  to  the  life  of  a  private  gentleman,  free  from 
the  cares  and  concerns  of  public  life. 

March  28,  1797,  he  was  waited  on  at  Mount  Ver 
non  by  Brothers  Dennis  Ramsay  and  Phillip  G. 
Marsteller,  and  presented  with  the  following  letter 
and  address  from  James  Gillies,  the  Master  of  Alex 
andria  Lodge,  No.  22,  of  Virginia,  viz.: 

95 


fiDasonic  Correspondence  of  Waebtngton 

"ALEXA  March  28th,  5797. 
"Most  respected  Brother, 

"Brother  Ramsay  &  Marsteller  wait  upon  you 
"  with  a  copy  of  an  address  which  has  been  prepared 
"  by  the  unanimous  desire  of  the  Ancient  York  Ma- 
"  sons  of  Lodge  No.  22.  It  is  their  earnest  request 
"that  you  will  partake  of  a  Dinner  with  them  and 
"that  you  will  please  appoint  the  time  most  conve- 
"nient  for  you  to  attend. — 

"  I  am  most  beloved  Brother, 
"Your  Mo.  Ob*  Hble  Serv* 
"  JAMES    GILLIES,   M. 
"  Gen1  Geo  Washington." 

The  letter  was  an  invitation  to  dine  with  the 
Lodge.  This  WASHINGTON  accepted. 

"Most  respected  Brother, 

"  The  ancient  York  Masons  of  Lodge  No.  22  offer 
"you  their  warmest  congratulations  on  your  retire- 
"ment  from  your  useful  labors.  Under  the  su- 
"preme  architect  of  the  Universe  you  have  been  the 
"Master  Workman  in  erecting  the  Temple  of  Lib- 
"  erty  in  the  west,  on  the  broad  basis  of  equal  rights. 
"In  your  wise  administration  of  the  government  of 
"  the  United  States  for  the  space  of  eight  years,  you 
"have  kept  within  the  compass  of  our  happy  Consti- 
"tution  and  acted  on  the  square  with  foreign  Na- 
"tions  and  thereby  preserved  your  country  in  peace 
"  and  promoted  the  prosperity  and  happiness  of  your 

96 


Witb  Hlexan&ria  Xo50et  IRo,  22 

"  fellow  Citizens,  and  now  that  you  have  retired  from 
"the  labours  of  public  life  to  the  refreshment  of 
"domestic  tranquility,  they  ardently  pray  that  you 
"may  long  enjoy  all  the  happiness  which  the  Terres- 
"  tial  Lodge  can  afford  and  finally  be  removed  to  that 
"celestial  Lodge  where  Love,  Peace  and  Harmony 
"  for  ever  reign  and  where  cherubims  and  seraphims 
"  shall  hail  you  Brother. — 

"  By  the  unanimous  desire  of  Lodge 
"No.  22 

"JAMES  GILLIES,  Master." 
"  Gen  Geo  Washington." 

WASHINGTON  attended  the  meeting  of  his  Lodge 
at  Alexandria,  on  Saturday,  April  1,  1797,  when  his 
reply  to  Brother  Gillies'  address  was  read  in  open 
Lodge,  viz.: 

"BKOTHEKS  OF  THE  ANCIENT  YORK  MASONS  OF 
LODGE  No.  22. 

"While  my  heart  acknowledges  with  Brotherly 
"Love,  your  affectionate  congratulations  on  my  re- 
"tirement  from  the  arduous  toils  of  past  years,  my 
"  gratitude  is  no  less  excited  by  your  kind  wishes  for 
"  my  future  happiness. — 

"If  it  has  pleased  the  supreme  architect  of  the 
"  universe  to  make  me  an  humble  instrument  to  pro- 
"mote  the  welfare  and  happiness  of  my  fellow  men, 
"my  exertions  have  been  abundantly  recompensed 

8  97 


flDasontc  Correspondence  of  Masbington 


*> 


*v 

I 


1 
& 


A-KV 

.     \^  •? 

J    4  'N*  4 

s  .*  s   ?  ^ 


5\  f 


s  ..y  = 


* 


^.^c 


1^1' 

r'^R^n 

^  ^  s  vj(  >  -v%   *•  ^  U 


98 


FAC-SIMILE  OF  ADDRESS  FROM  ALEXANDRIA  LODGE,  No.  22,  TO  WASHINGTOK, 
MARCH,  1797.     LETTER  BOOK  II,  FOLIO  294-295. 


fiDasontc  Correspon&ence  of  Washington 


FAC-SIMILE  OF  WASHINGTON'S  REPLY  TO  ALEXANDRIA  LODGE,  No.  22, 
VIRGINIA,  MARCH,  1797. 


100 


Witb  Hlexan&ria  Xo&ge,  1R<x  22 

"by  the  kind  partiality  with  which  they  have  been 
"received;  and  the  assurance  you  give  me  of  your 
"belief  that  I  have  acted  upon  the  square  in  my 
"public  capacity,  will  be  among  my  principles  en 
joyments  in  this  Terrestial  Lodge." 


After  which  the  Brethren  went  in  procession  from 
their  room  to  Abert's  Tavern,573  where  they  partook 
of  an  "elegant"  dinner,  following  which  a  number 
of  toasts  were  offered.  The  tenth  toast  was  by 
Brother  WASHINGTON,  "  The  Lodge  at  Alexandria, 
and  all  Masons  throughout  the  World,"  after  which 
he  returned  to  Mount  Vernon  under  an  escort  of 
mounted  troops  of  the  town.57 

The  copies  of  the  letter,  address  and  reply  in 
WASHINGTON'S  Letter  Book  are  in  the  handwriting 
of  his  secretary,  Tobias  Lear.  Photostats  of  all  are 
in  the  collection  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsyl 
vania.  No  direct  photograph  of  the  original  in  pos 
session  of  Alexandria- Washington  Lodge,  No.  22, 
was  obtainable. 

57  Cf.  "  Washington  after  the  Revolution,"  W.  S.  Baker,  p.  347. 
57a Abert's  Tavern,  formerly  "John  Wise's."     Vide  p.  35  supra. 


101 


XIII 

CORRESPONDENCE  WITH  GRAND  LODGE  OF  MASSA 
CHUSETTS,  MARCH,  1797. 

A  a  Grand  Lodge  in  Quarterly  Commu 
nication,  held  at  Concert  Hall,  Boston, 
on  the  evening  of  March  13,  A.L.  5797. 
"On  motion  it  was  Voted,   That  a 
committee  be  appointed  to  draft  an  Address,  to  be 
presented  to  our  Illustrious  Brother,  George  Wash 
ington,  Esq'r,  when  the  M.W.  Paul  Revere,  Grand 
Master,  R.W.  John  Warren,  Rev.  Bro.  Thaddeus 
M.   Harris,   R.W.   Josiah   Bartlett,   Bro.    Thomas 
Edwards,    were    appointed    a    committee    for    that 
purpose." 

In  response  to  above  resolution  the  following  ad 
dress  was  sent  to  Brother  WASHINGTON  at  Mount 
Vernon  dated  Boston,  March  21,  5797,  viz.: 

102 


Wttb  tbe  <5ran&  Xo&ge  of  flDassacbusetts 

"The  East,  the  West  and  the  South,  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons  of  the  Com 
monwealth  of  Massachusetts. 
To  Their  Most  Worthy  George  Washington." 
"Wishing  ever  to  be  foremost  in  testimonials  of 
respect  and  admiration  for  those  virtues  and  services 
with  which  you  have  so  long  adorned  and  benefited 
our  common  country;  and  not  the  last  nor  least,  to 
regret  the  cessation  of  them,  in  the  public  councils 
of  the  Union;  your  Brethren  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
embrace  the  earliest  opportunity  of  greeting  you  in 
the  calm  retirement  you  have  contemplated  to  your 
self.  Though  as  citizens  they  lose  you  in  the  active 
labors  of  political  life,  they  hope,  as  Masons,  to  find 
you  in  the  pleasing  sphere  of  Fraternal  engagement. 
"  From  the  cares  of  state  and  the  fatigues  of  pub 
lic  business  our  institution  opens  a  recess  affording 
all  the  relief  of  tranquility,  the  harmony  of  peace  and 
the  refreshment  of  pleasure.  Of  these  may  you  par 
take  in  all  their  purity  and  satisfaction;  and  we  will 
assure  ourselves  that  your  attachment  to  this  social 
plan  will  increase;  and  that  under  the  auspices  of 
your  encouragement,  assistance  and  patronage,  the 
Craft  will  attain  its  highest  ornament,  perfection  and 
praise.  And  it  is  our  ardent  prayer,  that  when  your 
light  shall  be  no  more  visible  in  this  earthly  temple, 
you  may  be  raised  to  the  All  Perfect  Lodge  above; 
be  seated  on  the  right  of  the  Supreme  Architect  of 
the  Universe,  and  there  receive  the  refreshment  your 
labors  merited. 

103 


flDasonic  Correspondence  of  Waabinoton 

"  In  behalf  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  we  subscribe  our 
selves  with  the  highest  esteem, 
"Your  affectionate  Brethren, 

"PAUL  REVEKE,  Grand  Master. 
"  ISAIAH  THOMAS,  S.  Grand  Warden. 
"  JOSEPH  LAUGHTON,  J.  Grand  Warden. 
"Daniel  Oliver,  Grand  Secretary, 
"Boston,  21st  March,  5797." 

For  some  unaccountable  reason  the  delivery  of  the 
address  was  delayed  and  not  received  at  Mount 
Vernon  until  late  in  April.  The  original  draft  of 
WASHINGTON'S  reply  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Massa 
chusetts  in  his  own  handwriting  and  signature  as  well 
as  an  autograph  note  of  apology  for  the  seeming 
delay  to  Grand  Master  Paul  Revere  and  his  officers 
dated  Mount  Vernon,  April  24,  1797,  are  in  the 
Manuscript  Department  in  the  Library  of  Con 
gress,  viz.: 

"  To  PAUL  REVERE  GRAND  MASTER,  ISAIAH 
"THOMAS  SENIOR  GRAND  WARDEN  AND 
"JOSEPH  LAUGHTON  JUNR  GRAND  WARDEN. 
fe  Brothers, 

"I  am  sorry  that  the  en- 
"  closed  answer  to  the  affectionate  address 
"  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient,  Free  and 
"Accepted  Masons,  of  the  Commonwealth 
"  of  Massachusetts  transmitted  under  your 

104 


1735-1818. 
GRAND    MASTER    OF    MASONS    IN    MASSACHUSETTS,    1797. 


%Lc><2Sl^'S'^^ 


x^L«^^    _^^£ 
LX/ 


FAC-SIMILE  OF  AUTOGRAPH  LETTER  FROM  WASHINGTON  TO  PAUL  REVERE 

AND  THE  OFFICERS  OF  THE  GRAND  LODGE  OF  MASSACHUSETTS, 

APRIL  24,  179T. 

105 


106 


noasonic  Correspon&ence  of 


AT^£  c£t^fflcr-i'j&-  ^2,  ^-^L^cx-^r  ^r  ^^^^^^z^^oZ^  ^Wy 
Luz^£ as^G^t^&^^r  &  4&e>^*^^  /Z3^  fCc^cs?*.  ^ 


107 


fiDasonic  Correspondence  of  Waebtngton 

"signatures,  should  appear  so  much  out 

from 

"of  season;  but  /\  the  lapse  of  time  between 
"the  date  &  reception  of  the  address  (from 
"what  cause  I  know  not)  it  was  not  to  be 
"avoided,  and  is  offered  as  an  apology,  for 
"the  delay.    With  brotherly  affection 
"I  am  always  yours, 


^  * 


"Mount  Vernon, 
"24tb  April  1797." 

Following  is  a  copy  of  WASHINGTON'S  original 
draft  of  his  reply  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Massachu 
setts.  It  is  written  upon  two  pages  of  a  letter  sheet 
entirely  in  his  handwriting  and  signed  by  him. 

"  To  THE  GRAND  LODGE  or  ANCIENT,  FREE  & 
"ACCEPTED  MASONS,  OF  THE  COMMONWEALTH 
"  OF  MASSACHUSETTS. 


"It  was  not  until  within 
"these  few  days  that  I  have  been  favoured  by 
"the  receipt  of  your  affectionate  Address 
"dated  in  Boston  the  21st  of  March 

"  For  the  favourable  sentiments 
"  you  have  been  pleased  to  express  on  the 

108 


Witb  tbe  6rant>  %O&QC  of  flDaseacbusetts 

"occasion  of  my  past  services,  and  for  the 
"  regrets  with  which  they  are  accompani- 
"  ed  for  the  cessation  of  my  public  functions, 
"  I  pray  you  to  accept  my  best  acknowledg- 
"ments  and  gratitude. — 

"No  pleasure,  except  that  wch 
"results  from  a  consciousness  of  having,  to 
"the  utmost  of  my  abilities,  discharged, 
"the  trusts  which  have  been  reposed  in 
"  me  by  my  Country,  can  equal  the  satis 
"  faction  I  feel  from  the  unequivocal  proofs 
"I  continually  receive  of  its  approbation 
"  of  my  public  conduct,  and  I  beg  you  to  be 
"  assured  that  the  evidence  thereof  which 
"  is  exhibited  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Massachusetts 
"is  not  among  the  least  pleasing,  or  grate 
"  f ul  to  my  feelings. — 

"In  that  retirement  which  decli- 
"  ning  years  induced  me  to  seek,  and  which 
"  repose,  to  a  mind  long  employed  in  pub- 
"lic  concerns,  rendered  necessary,  my  wish 
"es  that  bounteous  Providence  will  conti- 
"nue  to  bless  &  preserve  our  country  in 
"  Peace  &  in  the  prosperity  it  has  enjoyed,  will 
"be  warm  &  sincere;  and  my  attachment 
"to  the  Society  of  which  we  are  members 
"will  dispose  me  always,  to  contribute  my 
"  best  endeavours  to  promote  the  honor  & 
"interest  of  the  Craft.- 

109 


flDasontc  Corre0pon5ence  of  MasbinQton 

"  For  the  prayer  you  offer  in 
"my  behalf  I  entreat  you  to  accept  the 
"thanks  of  a  grateful  heart;  with  the  as- 
"  surance  of  fraternal  regard  and  best 
"wishes  for  the  honor,  happiness  &  prospe- 
"  rity  of  all  the  members  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
"  of  Massachusetts." 


The  original  letter  is  said  to  be  in  possession  of 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  Massachusetts.  No  photo 
graphic  fac-simile  of  the  document,  however,  could 
be  obtained. 


ANCIENT  JEWEL  OF  THE  GRAND  LODGE  OF  MARYLAND. 
110 


XIV 

CORRESPONDENCE  WITH  GRAND  LODGE  OF  MARY 
LAND,  NOVEMBER,  1798. 

the  year  1798,  the  danger  of  a  war  with 
France  had  become  so  imminent,  on  ac 
count  of  the  aggressions  of  that  govern 
ment  towards  the  United  States,  that 
Congress  ordered  a  provisional  army  to  be  raised, 
the  command  of  which  was  tendered  to  WASHING 
TON,  with  the  rank  of  Lieutenant-General,  an  honor 
which  was  reluctantly  accepted  by  WASHINGTON. 
During  the  summer  a  scourge  of  yellow  fever  had 
again  visited  Philadelphia,  which  caused  Congress 
to  adjourn,  July  16,  and  the  public  offices  to  be  re 
moved  for  the  time  being  to  Trenton,  N.  J.  All 
danger  of  the  fever  being  over,  WASHINGTON,  on 
November  5,  started  for  Trenton.  He  arrived  at 
Baltimore,  November  7,  and  was  waited  on  at  his 
quarters  by  William  Belt  on,  Grand  Master  of  the 

Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland,  his  Deputy  and  other 

in 


fiDasonic  Gorresponbence  of  Washington 

Brethren  and  presented  with  a  copy  of  the  New  Ahi- 
man  Rezon  and  the  following  address,58  viz.: 

"To  GEORGE  WASHINGTON,  ESQ., 

Lieutenant  General  and  Commander-in-chief 

of  the  Armies  of  the  United  States. 
"Sir  and  Brother: 

"The  Right  Worshipful  Grand  Lodge  of  Free 
Masons  for  the  State  of  Maryland,  wishing  to 
testify  the  respect  in  which  the  whole  fraternity  in 
this  State  hold  the  man  who  is  at  once  the  ornament 
of  the  Society  and  of  his  country,  vote  a  copy  of  the 
Constitution  of  Masonry,  lately  printed  under  its 
authority,  to  be  presented  to  you. 

"Accept,  Sir  and  Brother,  from  our  hands  this 
small  token  of  the  veneration  of  men  who  consider 
it  as  the  greatest  boast  of  their  Society,  that  a 
WASHINGTON  openly  avows  himself  a  member 
of  it,  and  thinks  it  worthy  of  his  approbation.  With 
it  accept  also  our  warmest  congratulations  in  the 
name  of  the  body  which  we  represent,  on  your  reap- 
pointment  to  that  elevated  station  in  which  you 
formerly  wrought  the  salvation  of  your  country; 
and  on  your  restoration  to  the  inestimable  blessing 
of  health  which,  that  the  Almighty  disposer  of 
events  may  continue  to  accord  to  you  uninterrup 
tedly,  is  the  most  earnest  prayer  of  your  most  re- 

58  Cf.  "  Freemasonry  in  Maryland,"  by  Edw.  J.  Schultz,  Baltimore, 
1884,  Vol.  I,  pp.  265-266. 

112 


FAC-SIMILE    (REDUCED)    OF    THE    ORIGINAL    DRAFT    OF    WASHINGTON'S 


/#** 

;/&•* 


<-y 


'*•?* 


LETTER    TO    THE    GRAND    LODGE    OF    MARYLAND.-ELKTON,   MD.,  NOV.  8,  1798. 

RIGHT. 


With  tbe  <5ran&  Xo&ge  of  flDan>lan& 

spectfully  affectionate  Brethren  and  most  humble 
servants. 

"  Signed,    WM.  BELTON,  R..  W..G..M.. 
"Peter  Little,  Grand  Secretary, 
"Baltimore,  November  5th,  1798." 

To  this  address  WASHINGTON  sent  a  reply,  the 
original  draft  of  which  is  in  the  Library  of  Congress, 
written  upon  two  pages  of  a  letter  sheet,  and  differs 
somewhat  from  the  final  copy  sent  to  the  Grand 
Lodge  from  Elkton,  where  WASHINGTON  spent  the 
next  day.  It  will  be  recalled  that  but  two  weeks  had 
elapsed  since  he  wrote  his  last  letter  to  Dominie 
Snyder  of  Fredericktown,  and  this  fact  was  evi 
dently  in  his  mind  when  he  wrote  this  letter  to  the 
Maryland  Brethren. 

Upon  second  thought  he  eliminated  the  lines  bear 
ing  upon  the  insinuations  in  Snyder's  letter.  Fol 
lowing  is  a  copy  of  the  letter  as  originally  written, 
viz.: 

"  To  THE  RIGHT  WORSHIPFUL  GRAND  LODGE  OF  FREE 

"  MASONS  FOR  THE  STATE  OF  MARYLAND. 
"Gentlemen  <%  Brothers, 

"  Your  obliging  &  affectionate 

"  letter,  together  with  a  copy  of  the  Constitutions  of 
"  Masonry  has  been  put  into  my  hands  by 
"your  Grand  Master;  for  which  I  pray  you  to 
"accept  my  best  thanks. — 

9  113 


HDasontc  Correspondence  of  Washington 

"So  far  as  I  am 

"acquainted  with  the  principles  &  Doctrines  of 
"  Free  Masonry,  I  conceive  it  to  be  founded 
"  in  benevolence  and  to  be  exercised  only 
"  for  the  good  of  mankind.     If  it  has  been  a 
"Cloak  to  promote  improper  or  nefarious 
"objects,  it  is  a  melancholly  proof  that 
"in  unworthy  hands,  the  best  institutions 
"  may  be  made  use  of  to  promote  the  worst 
"  designs. — 

"While  I  offer  my  grateful 

"  acknowledgements  for  your  congratulations  on  my 
"  late  appointments,  and  for  the  favorable  sentiments 
"  you  are  pleased  to  express  of  my  conduct,  permit 
"  me  to  observe,  that  at  this  important  & 
"critical  moment,  when  repeated  and 
"high  indignities  have  been  offered  to  this 
"  government  your  country  and  the  rights  &  property 
"  of  our  Citizens  plundered  without  a  prospect  of 
"redress,  I  conceive  it  to  be  the  indispensable 
"  duty  of  every  American,  let  his  situation  &  cir 
"  cumstances  in  life  be  what  they  may,  to  come 
"  forward  in  support  of  the  government  of  his  country 
"  and  to  give  all  the  aid  in  his  power  toward 
"maintaining  that  independence  which  we  have 
"so  dearly  purchased;  and  under  this  impression, 
"  I  did  not  hesitate  to  lay  aside  all  personal 
"  considerations  and  accept  my  appointment. 
"  I  pray  you  to  be  assured  that  I  ap- 

114 


Mitb  <5ran&  %O&QC  of 


"  predate,  with  sincerity  your  kind  wishes  for 
"my  health  &  happiness. 

"  I  am  GentP  &  brothers 
"very  respectfully 

"Yr  most  oV   servV 


**" 


Before  this  letter  was  sent,  the  five  words  on  the 
tenth  line  and  the  whole  of  next  five  lines  were 
eliminated;  there  was  also  a  slight  change  made  in 
the  last  paragraph  on  the  second  page. 

Following  is  a  copy  of  the  letter  as  received  by  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland.  The  original  letter 
was  in  the  possession  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Mary 
land,  as  late  as  1833,  but  it  has  since  disappeared. 


59 


"To  THE  RIGHT  WORSHIPFUL  GRAND  LODGE  OF 

FREE  MASONS  FOR  THE  STATE  OF  MARYLAND. 
ff  Gentlemen  and  Brothers: 

'Your  obliging  and  affectionate  letter,  together 
with  a  copy  of  the  Constitution  of  Masonry,  has 
been  put  into  my  hands  by  your  Grand  Master,  for 
which  I  pray  you  to  accept  my  best  thanks.  So  far 
as  I  am  acquainted  with  the  principles  and  doctrines 
of  Freemasonry,  I  conceive  them  to  be  founded  on 
benevolence,  and  to  be  exercised  for  the  good  of 

59  ibid.,  p.  266. 

115 


HDasonfc  Correspon&ence  of  Washington 

mankind;   I   cannot,   therefore,   upon   this   ground 
withdraw  my  approbation  from  it. 

"While  I  offer  my  grateful  acknowledgements 
for  your  congratulations  on  my  late  appointment, 
and  for  the  favorable  sentiments  you  are  pleased  to 
express  of  my  conduct,  permit  me  to  observe,  that, 
at  this  important  and  critical  moment,  when  high 
and  repeated  indignities  have  been  offered  to  the 
Government  of  our  country,  and  when  the  property 
of  our  citizens  is  plundered  without  a  prospect  of 
redress,  I  conceive  it  to  be  the  indispensable  duty  of 
every  American,  let  his  station  and  circumstances  in 
life  be  what  they  may,  to  come  forward  in  support 
of  the  Government  of  his  choice  and  to  give  all  the 
aid  in  his  power  towards  maintaining  that  independ 
ence  which  we  have  so  dearly  purchased;  and  under 
this  impression,  I  did  not  hesitate  to  lay  aside  all 
personal  considerations  and  accept  my  appointment. 
I  pray  you  to  be  assured  that  I  receive  with  grati 
tude  your  kind  wishes  for  my  health  and  happiness 
and  reciprocate  them  with  sincerity. 

"I  am,  Gentlemen  and  Brothers, 
"Very  Respectfully, 

"Your  most  Ob't  Servant, 


J^- 


Elkton,  November  8th,  1798.3 

116 


BY    CHARLES    BALTHAZAR    FEVERET    DE    SAINT    MEMIN. 
THE    LAST    PORTRAIT    OF   WASHINGTON    FROM    LIFE,    TAKEN    IN    PHILADELPHIA,    NOVEMBER,    1798. 


XV 

CORRESPONDENCE  WITH  G.  W.  SNYDER,  1798. 

AS  to  the  correspondence  with  one  G.  W. 
Snyder    (Schneider),   who   represented 
himself  as  a  preacher  of  the  Reformed 
Church    of   Fredericktown,    Maryland, 
our  late  Brother  James  M.  Lamberton,  in  his  ad 
dress  before  the  Right  Worshipful  Grand  Lodge 
of  Pennsylvania,  at  the  celebration  of  the  "  Sesqui- 
centennial  Aniversary  of  the  initiation  of  Brother 
GEORGE  WASHINGTON  into  the  Fraternity  of  Free 
masons,"  held  in  the  Masonic  Temple,  in  the  City 
of  Philadelphia  on  Wednesday,  November  the  fifth, 
A.  D.  1902,  states:60 

"It  is  well  known  that  during  the  French  Revo 
lution  religion  was  dethroned,  and  reason  installed 
in  the  place  of  Deity.  The  spreading  of  such  doc 
trines  was  by  many  ascribed  to  the  '  Illuminati,'  who 
were  supposed  to  be  Masons.  During  this  period 

so "  Memorial  Volume,  Washington  Sesqui-centennial  Anniversary," 
Philadelphia,  1902,  p.  165. 

117 


fiDaeonic  Gorrespon&ence  of  Wasbtneton 

clubs  like  the  Jacobin  Clubs  in  France  were  formed 
in  this  country,  and  the  spread  of  these  doctrines  was 
greatly  feared,  especially  by  the  clergy,  and  in  1798 
one  of  them,  one  G.  W.  Snyder,  of  Frederick- 
town,  Maryland,  wrote  to  Washington  sending  at 
the  same  time  a  book  entitled  'Proofs  of  a  Con 
spiracy,'  etc.,  by  John  Robison,61  the  conspiracy 
being  '  to  overturn  all  government  and  all  religion."62 
This  letter,  sent  to  Washington  at  Mount  Vernon 
covered  no  less  than  six  pages;  following  is  a  ver 
batim  copy  of  the  original  now  in  the  Library  of 
Congress. 

"  To  His  EXCELLENCY  GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 

"Sir, — You  will,  I  hope,  not  think  it  a  Pre  |  sump 
tion  in  a  Stranger,  whose  Name,  |  perhaps  never 
reached  your  Ears,  to  ad  |  dress  himself  to  you,  the 
Commanding  |  General  of  a  great  Nation.  I  am  a  | 
German,  born  and  liberally  educated  |  in  the  city  of 
Heydelberg,  in  the  Pa  |  latinate  of  the  Rhine.  I 
came  to  this  |  Country  in  1776,  and  felt  soon  after 
my  |  arrival,  a  close  Attachment  to  the  |  Liberty  for 
which  these  confederated  |  States  then  struggled. 
The  same  attachment  |  still  remains  not  glowing,  but 

ei «  PROOFS  |  of  a  |  CONSPIRACY  |  against  all  the  |  RELIGIONS 
and  GOVERNMENTS  |  of  |  EUROPE  |  carried  on  |  in  the  secret  meet 
ings  |  of  |  FREE  MASONS,  ILLUMINATI,  |  and  |  READING  SOCIE 
TIES,  |  "  collected  from  Good  Authorities  |  by  j  JOHN  ROBISON, 
A.  M.  |  —EDINBURGH,  |  1797.  [ 

62  The  original  letter  of  August  22,  1798,  is  among  the  Washington 
papers  in  the  Library  of  Congress;  a  photostat  of  same  is  in  the 
Archives  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania. 

118 


Witb  <5.  W. 


t   '&&*^'    &s*t~0  ^fi 


•       ^ 


X 


FAC-SIMILE  OF  FIRST  PAGE  OF  LETTER  FROM  G.  W.  SNYDER  TO  WASHING 
TON,  AUGUST  22,  1798. 


119 


flDasonfc  Correspondence  of  Washington 

burning  in  |  my  Breast.  At  the  same  Time  that  I 
am  |  exulting  in  the  Measures  adopted  by  our  |  Gov 
ernment,  I  feel  myself  elevated  in  ]  the  Idea  of  my 
adopted  Country,  I  am  |  attached,  both  from  the 
Bent  of  Educa  |  tion  and  mature  Enquiry  and 
Search  to  the  simple  Doctrines  of  Christianity,  | 
which  I  have  the  Honor  to  teach  in  |  Public;  and  I 
do  heartily  Despise  all  the  |  Cavils  of  Infidelity. 
Our  present  Time  |  pregnant  with  the  most  shocking 
Events  and  Calamities,  threatens  Ruin  to  |  our  Lib 
erty  and  Government.  |  The  most  secret  Plans  are 
in  Agitation;  |  Plans  calculated  to  ensnare  the  Un 
wary,  |  to  attract  the  Gay  irreligious,  and  to  en 
tice  even  the  Well-Disposed  to  combine  in  |  the  gen 
eral  Machine  for  overturning  all  |  Government  and 
all  Religion. 

"  It  was  some  Time  since  that  a  Book  |  fell  into 
my  hands,  entitled  c  Proofs  of  |  a  Conspiracy,  &c.  by 
John  Robison,'  which  gives  a  full  Account  of  a 
Society  of  Free  |  Masons,  that  distinguishes  itself  by 
the  |  name  of  '  Illuminati,'  whose  Plan  is  to  over  | 
throw  all  Government  and  all  Religion,  even  nat 
ural;  and  who  endeavor  to  eradicate  |  every  Idea  of 
a  Supreme  Being,  and  distin  |  guish  Man  from  Beast 
by  his  shape  only.  |  A  Thought  suggested  itself  to 
me,  that  some  |  of  the  Lodges  in  the  United  States 
might  |  have  caught  the  Infection,  and  might  co 
oper  |  ate  with  the  Illuminati  or  the  Jacobin  Club  | 
in  France.  Fauchet  is  mentioned  by  Robinson  |  as 
a  zealous  Member ;  and  who  can  doubt  |  Genet  and 

120 


Wftb  (5,  m. 


'        ,      /  </ 


/X^'/     4tsts  fr^& 


-^t2*^f-*u'    <e-*^r  SL3&0-7-0  sts/dL  c^w'sts&tA-'  4^0-r 
/  ^         ^  / ^ 


FAC-SIMILE  OF  FOURTH  PAGE  OF  LETTER  FROM  G.  W.  SXYDER  TO  WASHING 
TON,  AUGUST  22,  1798. 

121 


fiDasomc  Correspon&ence  of  Washington 

Adet?  Have  not  these  their  con  |  fidants  in  this 
country?  They  use  the  same  |  Expressions,  and  are 
generally  Men  of  no  |  Religion.  Upon  serious  Re 
flection  I  was  led  to  think  that  it  might  be  within 
your  Power  to  prevent  the  horrid  Plan  from  |  cor 
rupting  the  Brethren  of  the  English  Lodges  |  over 
which  you  preside. 

"  I  send  you  the  *  Proof  of  a  Conspiracy,'  &c.  | 
which  I  doubt  not,  will  give  you  Satis  |  faction,  and 
afford  you  matter  for  a  |  Train  of  ideas,  that  may 
operate  to  our  |  national  Felicity.  If,  however,  you 
have  |  already  perused  the  Book,  it  will  not,  I  trust, 
be  disagreeable  to  you  that  1 1  have  presumed  to  ad 
dress  you  with  this  Letter  and  the  Book  accompany 
ing  it.  ]  It  proceeded  from  the  Sincerity  of  my  | 
Heart,  and  my  ardent  Wishes  for  the  |  common  Good. 

"  May  the  Supreme  Ruler  of  all  |  Things  continue 
You  long  with  us  in  |  these  perilous  Times :  may  he 
endow  you  |  with  Strength  and  Wisdom  to  save  our  | 
Country  in  the  threating  Storms  and  gathering 
Clouds  of  Factions  and  Com  motions !  and  after  you 
have  completed  |  his  Work,  on  this  terrene  Spot, 
may  He  bring  you  to  the  full  Possession  of  the  \ 
glorious  Liberty  of  the  Children  of  God,  |  is  the 
hearty  and  most  sincere  Wish  of 

"Your  Excellency's   very  humble  and] 

"devoted   Servant, 

"G.  W.  SNYDEK. 

"Fredericktown,  (Maryland)  Aug.  22,  1798. 
"His  Excellency  General  George  Washington." 

122 


4Sf 

» 


FAC-SIMILE    OF    PRESS    COPY    OF    WASHINGTON'S 


ANSWER    TO    REV.    G.    W.    SNYDER.-SEPTEMBER  25.  1798. 


(5,  W.  Sn^&er  (Scbnei&er) 


This  man  Snyder  (Schneider)  was  an  agitator  and 
thoroughly  irresponsible  person,  having  no  ecclesi 
astical  connection  with  any  organized  Church  Body. 

In  the  year  1787,  Schneider  came  from  Albany, 
New  York,  to  Frederick,  ostensibly  to  collect  money 
to  build  a  Church.  He  was  kindly  received  and  per 
mitted  to  preach  in  the  Reformed  Congregation, 
where  he  soon  fomented  discord  and  trouble. 

Schneider  was  soon  driven  out  of  Frederick  Town, 
but  returned  again  in  1794,  when  he  renewed  the 
trouble  in  the  Church,  which  ended  in  a  schism.  The 
matter  finally  got  into  the  Civil  Court,  and  on  Feb 
ruary  15,  1800  the  case  was  decided  against  him, 
which  ended  his  activity  in  Frederick  Town;  soon 
after  which  he  left  for  parts  unknown.621 

Snyder,  who  was  not  a  native  of  this  country,  evi 
dently  labored  under  the  impression  that  WASHING 
TON  was  a  Grand  Master  General,  who  presided  over 
all  of  the  English  (or  Symbolic)  Masonic  Lodges 
in  the  United  States.  Snyder  evidently  used  the 
term  "English"  Lodges,  to  distinguish  them  from 
the  Masonic  bodies  working  in  the  so-called  higher 
(Scotch)  degrees,  as  are  now  known  as  the  Ancient 
and  Accepted  Scottish  Rite. 

How  important  WASHINGTON  considered  this  cor 
respondence  is  shown  by  his  precaution  in  taking  a 
press  copy  of  both  of  his  letters  to  Snyder,  who  he 

62aCf.  Historical  sketch  of  the  Evangelical  Reformed  Church  of 
Frederick,  Maryland,  1904,  pp.  22-25. 

123 


flDasontc  Correspondence  of  Washington 

was  led  to  believe  was  the  regular  pastor  of  the  Ger 
man  Reformed  Congregation  at  Fredericktown. 
These  are  now  in  the  Library  of  Congress.  It  will  be 
noted  that  in  all  of  his  other  Masonic  correspond 
ence,  copies  were  made  in  his  regular  letter  books 
by  his  clerks,  of  both  address  and  reply.  Brother 
WASHINGTON  evidently  surmised  that  this  letter 
from  Snyder  was  nothing  more  or  less  than  a  scheme 
to  entrap  him.  It  was  not  until  a  month  had  elapsed, 
and  then  only  after  due  consideration,  that  the  fol 
lowing  reply  was  sent  to  Fredericktown,  viz. : 

"MOUNT  VERNON,  25th  Sept.  1798. 
"Sir, 

"Many  apologies  are 
"due  to  you,  for  my  not  acknowledging 
"the  receipt  of  your  obliging  favour  of 

for 

"  the  22d  ult,  and  /\  not  thanking  you,  at 
"  an  earlier  period  for  the  Book  you 
"had  the  goodness  to  send  me. 

"  I  have  heard  much  of  the  ne- 
"farious  &  dangerous  plan,  &  doctrines 
"  of  the  Illuminati,  but  never  saw  the 
"Book  until  you  were  pleased  to  send 
"it  to  me.    The  same  causes  which 
"have  prevented  my  acknowledging  the 
*  receipt  of  your  letter,  have  prevented 
'my  reading  the  Book,  hitherto,  name- 

124 


FAC-SIMILE    OF    PRESS    COPY    OF    WASHINGTON'S    SECOND 


-&—*£. 


LETTER    TO    REV.    G.    W.    SNYDER.-ocroBER  24,   1798. 


Wasbtngton's  IRepi? 


"  ly,  the  multiplicity  of  matters  which 

me 

"pressed  upon  before,  &  the  debilitated 
"  state  in  which  I  was  left  after  a  se 
"  vere  fever  had  been  removed,  and 
"  which  allows  me  to  add  little  more  now, 
"than  thanks  for  your  kind  wishes  and 
"favourable  sentiments,  except  to  cor- 
"rect  an  error  you  have  run  into,  of  my 
"presiding  over  the  English  Lodges  in 
"this  Country.     The  fact  is,  I  preside  over 
"none,  nor  have  I  been  in  one,  more  than 

thirty 
"once  or  twice,  within  the  last  years. 

"I  believe  notwithstanding,  that 
"none  of  the  Lodges  in  this  Country  are 
"contaminated  with  the  principles  as- 
"  cribed  to  the  society  of  the  Illuminati." 
"With  respect 
"  I  am,  Sir, 

"Your  Obedfc  Hble  Servc 


'  The  Reva  Mr  Snyder. 
Endorsed 

to 
"  The  Rev*  Mr.  Snyder. 

"25th  Sep.  1798." 


125 


noasonic  Correspondence  of  Washington 

In  this  letter  WASHINGTON  was  correct  in  stating 
that  he  had  not  presided  over  the  "  English  Lodges 
in  this  Country,"  undoubtedly  meaning  as  Grand 
Master  General. 

Where  WASHINGTON  says  "The  fact  is  I  preside 
over  none"  he  meant  that  he  did  not  then  preside 
over  any  individual  lodge,  as  he  at  that  time  was  a 
Past  Master  of  Alexandria  Lodge,  No.  22,  of 
Virginia.63 

Where  he  says  "Nor  have  I  been  in  one,  [mean 
ing  an  individual  lodge]  more  than  once  or  twice 
within  the  last  thirty  years"  he  obviously  had  in 
view  his  occasional  visits  to  the  various  lodges  dur 
ing  that  period,  and  that  he  could  not,  on  account 
of  his  official  duties  and  other  conditions,  attend  any 
lodge  regularly. 

As  a  matter  of  record,  WASHINGTON  was  a  mem 
ber  of  Alexandria  Lodge,  No.  39,  of  Pennsylvania,64 
and  attended  some  of  its  meetings  at  Alexandria  in 
1783  and  1784,  as  is  shown  by  the  Minutes  of  the 
Lodge,  and  the  records  here  presented.65  Further, 
that  when  the  Brethren  of  Alexandria  Lodge,  No. 
39,  changed  their  allegiance  from  Pennsylvania  to 
Virginia,  General  WASHINGTON  was  especially 
named  in  the  warrant,  after  his  consent  having  been 

63  Cf.  "Washington,  The  Man  and  Mason,"  p.  288. 

64  Vide  "  Sesqui-Centennial  Anniversary  of  the  Initiation  of  Brother 
George  Washington  before  quoted,"  p.  149. 

65  Cf.  Chapters  II  and  III  supra. 

126 


Masbineton  W.  flD*  of  %o5se  Wo.  22 

first  obtained,66  and  thereby  became  the  Warrant 
Master  of  Lodge  No.  22,  under  the  Virginia  juris 
diction,  April  28,  1788,  serving  as  such  until  Decem 
ber  20  following,  when,  as  the  minutes  of  that  date 
show,67  he  was  unanimously  elected  to  succeed  him 
self  for  the  full  term,  serving  in  all  about  twenty 
months. 

The  records  further  show  that,  in  1778,  WASHING 
TON  occupied  the  chief  position  in  the  procession  at 
the  celebration  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist  by  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania  at  Philadelphia  in 
1778,  in  which  more  than  three  hundred  Brethren 
joined.68 

He  also  occupied  the  same  position  when  he  laid 
the  corner  stone  of  the  present  capitol  at  Washing 
ton,  September  18,  1793,  clothed  with  the  Masonic 
Apron  presented  by  Lafayette,  which  is  now  in  the 
Museum  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania. 
Upon  both  of  these  occasions,  WASHINGTON  made  a 
public  profession  of  his  membership  in  the  Masonic 
Fraternity. 

Records  show  that  WASHINGTON  was  present  at 
the  meeting  of  American  Union  Lodge  (a  Military 

66  Cf.  ".Washington,  The  Man  and  Mason,"  p.  286. 

67  Ibid.,  December  20,  1789.     His  excellency,  General  WASHINGTON, 
unanimously  elected  Master;  Robert  McCrea,  Senior  Warden;  William 
Hunter,    Jr.,    Junior    Warden;    William    Hodgson,    Treasurer;    Joseph 
Green  way,  Secretary;  Dr.  Frederick  Spambergen,  Senior  Deacon;  George 
Richards,  Junior  Deacon.    Extract  from  Minutes,  p.  288. 

68  Vide  "  Freemasonry  in  Pennsylvania,  1727-1907,"  Vol.  I,  Chapter 
X,  pp.  295  et  seq. 

127 


fiDasonic  Correspondence  of  WasbittQlon 

Lodge),  at  Morristown,  N.  J.,  December  27,  1779  ;69 
at  American  Union  Lodge  at  Nelson's  point  on  the 
Hudson  June  24,  1782  ;70  at  King  Solomon's  Lodge 
of  Poughkeepsie,  December  27,  1782,  and  occasion 
ally  at  Alexandria  Lodge,  No.  39,  in  1783-1784, 
and  the  Virginia  Lodge,  No.  22,  between  the  years 
1788  and  1797.71 

WASHINGTON  in  the  next  paragraph  of  his  letter 
to  Snyder  makes  his  meaning  absolutely  clear, 
that  while  he  had  not  attended  any  Lodge  regularly 
during  the  past  thirty  years  he  plainly  states:  "I 
believe  notwithstanding,  that  none  of  the  Lodges  in 
this  Country  are  contaminated  with  the  principles 
ascribed  to  the  society  of  the  Illuminati." 

This  belief  is  further  accentuated  by  the  letter  to 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland  a  few  weeks  after  the 
above  letter  was  written  to  Snyder. 

In  addition  to  above  records,  there  are  numerous 
traditions  of  WASHINGTON'S  occasional  visits  to 
Masonic  Lodges  and  functions:72  all  of  which  fall 
within  the  thirty  years  mentioned  in  the  Snyder 
Letter.723 

Further,  WASHINGTON'S  great  interest  in  Free- 

.,  Vol.  I,  Chapter  XII,  pp.  399  et  seq. 


Vide  "Washington  and  his  Masonic  Compeers,"  Chapter  VIII,  pp. 
149  et  seq. 

"to  Ibid.,  pp.  86-87.    Also  records  of  King  Solomon's  Lodge,  No.  1, 
Poughkeepsie,  New  York. 

7i  Ibid.,  pp.  150  et  seq. 

"  Ibid.,  pp.  139  et  seq. 

72a  WASHINGTON,   so    far    as   known,   attended    the    following   public 
Masonic  functions: 

128 


Witbin  tbe  last  tbirt? 


masonry  is  shown  by  the  many  addresses  received 
from  different  Grand  and  Subordinate  Lodges 
throughout  the  Union,  all  of  which  he  acknowledged 
in  fraternal  terms,  also  by  the  various  Masonic  con 
stitutions  and  sermons  dedicated  to  him,  which  he 
received  with  thanks  and  were  preserved  in  his 
library. 

It  will  be  noted  that  in  the  fifth  line  from  the 
bottom,  f( Within  the  last  thirty  years''  which  in  all 
Anti-Masonic  publications  is  printed  in  italics,  the 
word  "thirty"  was  not  in  the  body  of  the  letter  as 
originally  written,  but  was  an  afterthought  and 
interlined  before  the  press  copy  was  taken. 

In  the  press  copy  of  this  letter,  it  will  be  noted 
that  the  word  written  over  the  words  "last  years" 
is  almost  indecipherable;  in  the  photostat  it  is  com 
pletely  so.  This  has  led  some  investigators  to  ques 
tion  whether  the  interlined  word  is  really  "thirty" 

The  surmise  that  the  blur  in  the  press  copy  of 

1.  Procession  in  Philadelphia,  Festival  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist, 
December  28,  1778. 

2.  Festival  of  St.  John  the  Baptist,  June  24,  1779,  with  the  American 
Union  Lodge,  at  the  Robinson  House  on  the  Hudson,  New  York. 

3.  Festival   of    St.    John    the    Evangelist,   December   27,    1779,   with 
American  Union  Lodge,  at  the  Morris  Hotel,  Morristown,  New  Jersey. 

4.  Festival  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist,  December  27,  1782,  with  King 
Solomon's  Lodge,  at  Poughkeepsie,  New  York. 

5.  Festival  of  St.  John  the  Baptist,  June  24,  1784,  with  Lodge  No.  39, 
at  Alexandria,  Virginia. 

6.  The  Masonic  funeral  of  Brother  William  Ramsay,  February  12, 
1785,  at  Alexandria. 

7.  Laying   of   the   cornerstone   of  the   capitol   at   the   Federal   City 
(Washington,  D.  C.),  September  18,  1793,  upon  which  occasion  WASH- 

,    INGTON  walked   in  the  procession. 

10  129 


masonic  Correspondence  of  Washington 

WASHINGTON'S  letter  to  Snyder,  was  "thirty"  was 
first  promulgated  by  Jared  Sparks,  when  he  fur 
nished  the  text  of  the  letter  to  the  Anti-Masonic 
agitators,  during  the  political  excitement  which 
swept  over  the  New  England  States  in  the  second 
decade  of  the  nineteenth  century. 

Snyder,  upon  receipt  of  this  letter,  undoubtedly 
after  consultation  with  persons  who  were  polit 
ically  opposed  to  WASHINGTON  or  antagonistic  to 
the  Masonic  Fraternity,  wrote  a  second  letter  and 
sent  it  to  Mount  Vernon  under  date  of  October  17, 
1798;  no  copy  of  this  letter  has  thus  far  been  found 
among  the  WASHINGTON  papers  in  the  Library  of 
Congress. 

WASHINGTON  immediately  sent  the  following 
sharp  reply  to  Snyder,  in  which  he  plainly  sets  forth 
his  belief  that  the  Masonic  Lodges  in  the  United 
States  were  not  interested  in  the  propagation  of  the 
tenets  of  what  was  then  known  as  Jacobism  or  the 
Illumaniti.  The  words  as  underscored  in  the  orig 
inal  letter  by  WASHINGTON  were  to  emphasize  his 
meaning  upon  this  subject. 

Photostats  of  both  of  the  above  letter  press  copies 
are  in  the  Archives  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Penn 
sylvania. 

"MOUNT  VERNON  24th  Oct.  1798. 

"Rev.  Sir, 

"  I  have  you  favor  of  the 

tive 

"17th  instant  before  me  and  my  only  mo: 

130 


TRepI?  to  Sn$5er 


"  to  trouble  you  with  the  receipt  of  this  let 
"ter,  is  to  explain,  and  correct  a  mistake 
"  which  I  perceive  the  hurry  in  which  I 
"am  obliged,  often  to  write  letters,  have 
"led  you  into. — 

"  It  was  not  my  intention  to  doubt 
"that,  the  doctrines  of  the  Illuminati,  and 
"principles  of  Jacobism  had  not  spread 
"in  the  United  States.     On  the  contrary,  no 
"  one  is  more,  fully  satisfied  of  this  fact 
"that  I  am. 

"  The  idea  I  meant  to  convey,  was, 
"that  I  did  not  believe  that  the  Lodges 
"  of  Free  Masons  in  this  Country  had,  as 
"Societies,  endeavoured  to  propagate  the 
"  diabolical  tenets  of  the  first,  or  the  per- 
"nicious  principles  of  the  latter,  (if  they 
"are  susceptible  of  separation)     That 
"  individuals  of  them  may  have  done  it,  or 
"that  the  founder,  or  instrument  employ 
"  ed  to  found  the  Democratic  Societies 
"in  the  United  States,  may  have  had  these 
"objects,  and  actually  had  a  separation 
"of  the  people  from  their  Government 
"  in  view,  is  too  evident  to  be  questioned. 

"My  occupations  are  such,  that 
"  but  little  leisure  is  allowed  me  to  read  News 
"  Papers,  or  Books  of  any  kind.    The  reading 

131 


flDasonic  Correspondence  of  Washington 

"  of  letters  and  preparing  answers,  absorb 
"much  of  my  time. — 

"With  respect, — I  remain, 

"Revd  Sir, 

"Your  Most  Obed'  Hble  Serv1 


"The  Revd. 

"Mr  Snyder." 
Endorsed 

to 

"  The  Reva  Mr  Snyder, 
"24th  Oct.  1798." 

It  is  a  historical  fact  that  Washington  had  always 
retained  the  highest  respect  for  the  people  of  Mary 
land,  and  especially  the  citizens  of  Frederick  County. 
No  man  ever  stood  higher  in  the  estimation  of  the 
people  of  Maryland  than  Washington,  and  his  death 
awakened  genuine  sorrow.  On  February  22d,  1800, 
memorial  services  were  observed  in  the  Reformed 
Church  at  Fredericktown.72b  It  was  a  solemn  day  and 
the  whole  County  was  in  mourning;  at  which  time 
Ex- Governor  Thomas  Johnson  pronounced  the  fun 
eral  oration.  Snyder  took  no  part  in  these  services. 

The  two  letters  to  Snyder  were  chiefly  relied  upon 
by  the  Anti-Masons  to  support  their  political  claims. 

72bCf.  Historical  sketch  before  quoted,  p.  24. 

132 


Hnti^flDasonfc  Slan&ers 


"  That  Washington  was  never  in  a  Lodge  but 
twice,  in  his  life;  that  he  paid  no  attention  to  Ma 
sonry  during  the  war;  that  in  1781  he  declined  being 
addressed  by  Masons  as  a  brother  Mason,  and  in 
1798  was  very  particular  to  insist  upon  the  fact  that 
he  had  not  been  in  a  Lodge,  but  once  or  twice  in  30 
years,  and  knew  nothing  of  their  principles  and 
practices."73 

How  false  these  statements  so  frequently  made, 
is  shown  by  the  many  proofs  here  presented  in  fac 
simile  of  the  originals,  which  also  absolutely  contro 
vert  the  statement  in  Governor  Ritner's  Vindication? 
viz: — 

"  That  all  the  letters  said  to  be  written  by  Wash 
ington  to  Lodges  are  spurious.  This  is  rendered 
nearly  certain:  First,  by  the  non-production  of  the 
originals:  Second,  by  the  absence  of  copies  among 
the  records  of  his  letters:  Third,  by  their  want  of 
dates:  Fourth,  by  the  fact  that  his  intimate  friend 
and  biographer,  Chief  Justice  Marshall,73*  (himself  a 
Mason  in  his  youth,)  says  that  he  never  heard  Wash 
ington  utter  a  syllable  on  the  subject,  a  matter 
nearly  impossible,  if  Washington  had  for  years 
been  engaged  in  writing  laudatory  letters  to  the 
Grand  Lodges  of  South  Carolina,  Pennsylvania, 
and  Massachusetts."74 

The  movement  to  elect  General  WASHINGTON  a 

73  Anti-Masonic  Republican  Convention  before  quoted,  p.  26. 
73a  Grand  Master  of  Virginia,  1793-1795. 

74  Vindication  of  General  Washington  before  quoted,  p.  15. 

133 


flDasontc  Correspon&ence  of  Washington 

Grand  Master  over  all  the  Brethren  in  the  United 
States  originated  at  a  meeting  of  American  Union 
Lodge,  held  at  the  encampment  of  the  American 
Army  at  Morristown,  New  Jersey,  December  15, 
1779.  This  Lodge  was  a  Regimental  Lodge  of  the 
Connecticut  Line,  originally  warranted  by  the  Pro 
vincial  Grand  Master  of  Massachusetts. 

This  movement  continued  to  find  favor  amongst 
the  craft,  especially  in  Pennsylvania,  and  culminated 
in  a  motion  to  that  effect  at  a  General  Grand  Com 
munication  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  December  20,  1779. 

This  resulted  in  a  Grand  Lodge  of  Emergency 
being  convened  January  13,  1780,  when  the  follow 
ing  action  was  taken:75 

"  This  Lodge  being  called  by  Order  of  the  Grand 
Master,  upon  the  request  of  Sundry  Brethren,  and 
also  in  pursuance  of  a  Motion  made  at  the  last  Gen 
eral  Communication,  to  consider  the  Propriety  as 
well  as  the  necessity  of  appointing  a  Grand  Master 
over  all  the  Grand  Lodges  formed  or  to  be  formed 
in  these  United  States,  as  the  Correspondence  which 
the  Rules  of  Masonry  require  cannot  now  be  carried 
on  with  the  Grand  Lodge  of  London,  under  whose 
Jurisdiction  the  Grand  Lodges  in  these  States  were 
originally  constituted;  The  Ballot  was  put  upon  the 
Question:  Whether  it  be  for  the  Benefit  of  Masonry 
that  'a  Grand  Master  of  Masons  thro'out  the 

75  Cf .  "  Reprint  of  Minutes  of  Grand  Lodge,"  Vol.  I,  p.  19. 

134 


Elected  <5ran&  flDaster  <5eneral 

United  States'  shall  be  now  nominated  on  the  part 
of  this  Grand  Lodge;  and  it  was  unanimously  de 
termined  in  the  affirmative. 

"  Sundry  respectable  Brethren  being  then  put  in 
nomination,  it  was  moved  that  the  Ballot  be  put  for 
them  separately,  and  His  Excellency  George  Wash 
ington,  Esquire,  General  and  Commander-in-chief 
of  the  Armies  of  the  United  States  being  first  in 
nomination,  he  was  ballotted  for  accordingly  as 
Grand  Master,  and  Elected  by  the  unanimous  vote 
of  the  whole  Lodge. 

"Ordered,  That  the  minutes  of  this  Election  and 
appointment  be  transmitted  to  the  different  Grand 
Lodges  in  the  United  States,  and  their  Concurrence 
therein  be  requested,  in  Order  that  application  be 
made  to  his  Excellency  in  due  form,  praying  that 
he  will  do  the  Brethren  and  Craft  the  honor  of  ac 
cepting  their  appointment.  A  Committee  was  ap 
pointed  to  expedite  the  Business." 

The  movement  was  further  advanced  at  a  Con 
vention  of  representatives  of  the  Army  Lodges,  held 
at  Morristown,  N.  J.,  on  February  7,  1780,  when, 
fortified  by  the  pronounced  action  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Pennsylvania,  a  committee  was  chosen  of 
which  Brother  Mordecai  Gist  of  Maryland  was 
chairman  and  Brother  Otho  Williams  of  Delaware, 
secretary.76 

™  «  Freemasonry  in  Pennsylvania,  1727—1781,"  Vol.  I,  p.  39. 

135 


flDasontc  Correspondence  of  WasbinQton 


1 

^ 


r 


NJ 

! 
* 


M,vi*$*v85 

Wil^Si 


136 


fiDassacbusette  TRefu0e0  Consent 

This  Committee  issued  the  celebrated  address: 
"To  the  RIGHT  WORSHIPFUL,  The  Grand 

Masters  of  the  several  Lodges  in  the  Respective 

United  States  of  America. 

"  UNION -FORCE LOVE." 

This  address  was  signed  by  representatives  of  no 
less  than  seven  states,  viz.:  Maryland,  Connecticut, 
New  Jersey,  Pennsylvania,  Massachusetts  Bay,  New 
York  and  Delaware;  in  addition  to  those  of  the 
American  Union  Lodge,  Artillery,  St.  John's  Regi 
mental  Lodge  and  the  Staff  of  the  American  Army. 

It  was  further  ordered  that  the  foregoing  address 
with  an  exact  copy  of  these  proceedings  signed  by 
the  President  and  Secretary,  be  sent  to  the  respective 
Provincial  Grand  Masters  in  the  United  States.77 

It  was  not  until  the  middle  of  October  that  a  reply 
was  received  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Massachu 
setts  to  the  circular  letter  sent  out  by  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Pennsylvania,  and  then  only  in  response 
to  a  letter  written  by  our  Grand  Secretary,  Rev. 
Brother  Dr.  William  Smith. 

This  matter  led  to  more  or  less  correspondence  be 
tween  the  Grand  Lodges  of  Pennsylvania  and 
Massachusetts  and  was  in  abeyance,  until  January, 
1781,  when  the  following  letter  was  received  from 
Joseph  Webb,  Grand  Master  of  Massachusetts.78 

77  Address  in  full,  ibid.,  pp.  399-402. 

78  All  of  the  original  correspondence  is  in  the  Archives  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Pennsylvania,  Mss.,  Vol.  A. 

137 


nDasonic  Correspondence  of  Washington 

"BOSTON,  Jany  17,  1781. 
"Retf  Sir  and 
fe  Respected  Brother 

"Last  Friday  Evening  the  Grand  Lodge  met, 
agreeable  to  adjournment  and  after  a  long  debate 
on  the  subject,  whether  it  was  expedient  at  present 
to  elect  a  Grand  Master  General  for  the  United 
States,  it  passed  in  the  negative. 

"Inclosed  I  transmit  you  the  vote  from  the  G. 
Sec'y- 

Yr  Affect6  Brother 
"&  Hble  Serv1 

"Rev  Dr  Smith  "Jos:  WEBB. 

"Philadelphia." 

The  belief  that  WASHINGTON  was  the  Grand 
Master  of  the  United  States  was  widespread,  and, 
as  our  late  Bro.  James  M.  Lamberton  said  in  his  ad 
dress  before  mentioned,79  notwithstanding  the  fact 
that  the  project  to  elevate  General  WASHINGTON  fell 
through,  "that  the  action  of  the  Army  Lodges  and 
of  our  Grand  Lodge  got  abroad,  is  shown  by  trans 
lations  of  two  letters  from  a  Lodge  at  Cape  Fran 
cois,80  on  the  island  of  San  Domingo,  directed  to 
General  WASHINGTON  as  Grand  Master  of  all 
America,  soliciting  a  charter,  which  were  presented 
to  our  Grand  Lodge,  February  3,  1786.  The  same 

79 « Washington  Sesqui-Centennial  Celebration,  Nov.  5,  1902,  Me 
morial  Volume,"  pp.  135-6. 

so  Cf.  "  Old  Masonic  Lodges  of  Pennsylvania,"  Vol.  II,  Chapter  LIII, 
pp.  242-250. 

138 


Hmor— ibonor— fit  3u$tfca 


thing  is  shown  by  a  medal  struck  in  1797,  the  obverse 
showing  the  bust  of  WASHINGTON,  with  the  legend, 
"G.  Washington  President.  1797,"  the  reverse 
showing  many  Masonic  emblems,81  with  the  legend 
"Amor.  Honor.  Et  Justica  G.W.G.G.M."  (L  e., 
George  Washington,  General  Grand  Master) . 

The  writer  of  the  letters  to  WASHINGTON,  Snyder, 
quoted  at  the  beginning  of  this  chapter,  being  of 
foreign  birth,  and  not  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Fra 
ternity,  nor  even  living  where  a  Masonic  Lodge  ex 
isted,  evidently  labored  under  the  same  delusion  as 
the  Brethren  at  Cape  Francois. 

The  Masonic  Correspondence  of  WASHINGTON  as 
represented  upon  these  pages,  should  settle  for  all 
time  to  come  the  question,  as  to  the  esteem  in  which 
WASHINGTON  held  the  Masonic  Fraternity,  of  which 
he  was  an  honored  Member. 

It  is  stated  that  there  are  still  a  large  number  of 
Washington  papers  in  the  Library  of  Congress,  that 
are  not  accessible,  as  they  have  thus  far  not  been 
classified  or  indexed.  Thus  it  is  in  the  possibilities 
that  there  may  be  still  further  documentary  evidence 
found  of  Masonic  import,  in  addition  to  such  as  are 
set  forth  upon  these  pages. 

si  Specimen  in  Museum  of  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania. 


139 


J7ie  Arms  ofy  moft  Ancient  &  Jfortorable  fraternity 
of  Free  and/Aeoeptecl  Mafons. 


INDEX. 


Aberts  Tavern,  101 

Adam,  Rev.  John,  30 

Adam,  Robert,  29,  30 

Adcock,  William,  77 

Alexander,  Alexander,  58 

Alexandria  Lodge,  No.  22,  Ad 
dress  and  Reply,  18;  Letter  and 
Address  to  Washington,  96; 
Washington's  Reply,  97 

Alexandria  Lodge,  No.  39,  17; 
Correspondence  with,  28;  Ad 
dress  to  Washington,  29;  Meets 
at  Lamb  Tavern,  33;  Invites 
Washington  to  dine  with  them, 
34 

Allison,  John,  29,  33 

Anti-Masonic  Craze,  mention  of, 
8;  Attack  Washington's  memory, 
10;  Certify  to  Records,  16 

Armstrong,  Thomas,  90 

Bartlett,  Josiah,  83,  102 

Baker,  George  A.,  90 

Ball,  William,  93 

Belton,   William,  111,   113 

Blair,  Judge,  42 

Blyth,  Joseph,  53 

Bowen,  Thomas  B.,  58 

Bradley,  Thomas,  90 

Burk,    Miss     Fanny    M.,    Copies', 

Portrait    for    Grand    Lodge    of 

Pennsylvania,  36 


Carson,  J.,  53 
Chapman,  Samuel,  48,  49 
Clark,  Peleg,  15 
Clinton,  Governor,  42 
Cohen,  Abraham,  53 
Corney,  James,  48 
Craik,  George  W.,  2,  93 
Craik,  Dr.  James,  93 
Cutler,  John,  83 
Cusack,  Richard  E.,  90 

Dandridge,  Bartholomew,  3,  75, 
81 

Drayton,  William,  58 

Duplessis,  Peter  le  Barbier,  70; 
Autograph,  72,  79,  80 

Dick,  Elisah  C.,  29,  32;  Conducts 
Masonic  Services  at  Washing 
ton's  Funeral,  33 

Dick,  Archibald,  32 

Edwards,  Thomas,  102 
Elliot,  Robert,  15 
Foster,  Theo.,  42 

Franklin,    Benjamin,   mention   of, 

27 
Freemasonry       in       Pennsylvania 

(Barratt  and  Sachse),  Referred 

to,  16 

Free  Quaker  Meeting  House,  69 
Few,  Joseph,  70;  mention  of,  78 
Fredericktown,  Maryland,  117 


141 


fiDaeonic  Correspon&ence  of  Washington 


Gates,  Thomas,  58 

Georgia    Grand    Lodge,    Address 

and    Reply,    7,    17;    Fraudulent 

letter  to,  94 
Gist,  Mordecai,  57,  58,  59;  Sketch 

of,  64,  134 
Gorman,  Mr.,  of  New  Hampshire, 

42 

Gillies,  James,  95,  96,  97 
Grant,  Reuben,  53 
Greene,  Mrs.  Nathaniel,  66 
Griffith,  Cadawalder,  90 
Guion,  Isaac,  48  49 

Hayes,  Moses  Michael,  mention  of, 

15 

Handy,  John,  15 
Hailing,  Solomon,  48,  49 
Hamilton,  Gavin,  70,  90 
Harris,  Thaddeus  M.,  102 
Hildreth,  Ara,  38 
Houston,  George,  66 
Hunt,  Galliard,  mention  of,  6 

Irwin,  David,  90 
Israel,  Israel,  90 
Illuminati,  117 

Jackson,  Major  William,  2;  Copies 

Address  and  Answer,  40 
Jefferson,  Thomas,  36,  42 
Johnson,  William,  48,  49 

King  David's  Lodge,  No.  1,  New 
port,  R.  I.,  Proposed  Masonic 
Address  to  General  Washington, 
14;  Extracts  from  Records,  15, 
17;  Correspondence  with,  37; 
Sends  Address  to  Washington, 
38;  Fac-simile  of  Washington's 
Reply,  41 

Knox,  Robert,  58 


Lamb  Tavern,  Alexandria  meeting 
place  of  Lodge,  No.  39,  33 

Lear,  Tobias,  2,  75,  101 

Letter  Books  in  Library  of  Con 
gress,  6 

Littlefield,  William,  37 

Lowthorp,  F.,  48 

Lodge  No.  27,  on  Pennsylvania 
Roster,  57,  59 

Massachusetts  Grand  Lodge,  Draft 
of  Letter  to,  7;  Letter  to,  8; 
Objects  to  Washington  as  Grand 
Master  General,  16;  Address  and 
Reply,  18;  Address  to  Washing 
ton,  83;  Reply,  85;  Letter  to 
Paul  Revere,  104;  Reply  to 
Grand  Lodge,  106;  Refuses  to 
nominate  Washington  as  Grand 
Master  General,  136 

Maryland  Grand  Lodge,  Draft  of 
Letter  to  7,  18;  Address  to 
Washington,  112;  Washington 
Reply,  113;  Original  Draft  of 
Reply,  ib 

Masonic  Aprons,  20 

Masonic  Portrait  of  Washington 
in  Alexandria  Lodge,  36 

Mazyck,  William  C.,  60 

Mason,  Benjamin,  70 

Machey,  Mungo,  83 

Marsteller,  Phillip  G.,  95,  96 

Marshall,  John,  Chief  Justice,  132 

McElwee,  John,  90 

Meyers,  Israel,  58 

Miller,  George,  58 

Mitchell,  John,  58 

Newburgh,   Washington   in   Camp 

at,  21 

Nelson,  William,  90 
Nilson,  Andrew,  90 


Oliver,  Daniel,  104 
Oswald,  Eleaser,  90 


Lamberton,  J.  M.,  Address  Wash 
ington  as  a  Freemason,  11; 
quoted,  117 

Laughton,  Joseph,  104  Pasteur,  Edward,  48 

142 


Pennsylvania  Grand  Lodge,  Draft      Smith,  William  Moore,  Autograph, 


of  Letter  to,  7;  Address  and 
Reply,  18;  Resolutions,  69;  Ad 
dress  to  Washington,  71;  Wash 
ington's  Reply,  73;  Address  to 
Washington,  1796,  88;  Address, 
1797,  103;  Nominated  Washing 
ton  as  Grand  Master  General, 
133 

Prince  George's  Lodge,  No.  16, 
Georgetown,  S.  C.,  Address  and 
Reply,  8,  17;  Correspondence 
with,  51;  Sketch  of,  ib.;  Ad 
dress  to  Washington,  52;  Fac 
simile,  54,  55;  Washington's 
Reply,  56 

Providence,  R.  I.,  Washington 
Arrives  at,  42 

Procter,  Thomas,  70;  Sketch  of, 
78,  90 

Putnam,  Herbert,  mention  of,  4 

Ramsay,  William,  29,  33 

Ramsay,  Dennis,  95,  96 

Revere,  Paul,  2;  Letter  from 
Washington,  8;  Letter  to,  18, 
102,  104 

Rehm,  Dr.  J.  F.,  50 

Ritner,  Governor,  Vindication,  132 

Robison,  John,  "  Proofs  of  Con 
spiracy,"  118 

Rush,  Dr.  Benjamin,  32 

Seixas,  Moses,  15,  37;  Sketch  of, 
39 

Shippen,  Dr.  William,  32 

Sherburne,  Henry,  37 

Smith,  Mr.  of  South  Carolina,  42 

Smith,  Rev.  William,  D.D.,  Ser 
mon  by,  12;  Masonic  Sermons 
by,  13;  Addresses  the  Brethren, 
70;  Drafts  Address,  71,  73; 
Masonic  Record,  76,  90;  Writes 
to  Grand  Lodge,  Massachusetts, 
135 

Smith,  Jonathan  Bayard,  70;  Auto 
graph,  72,  73;  Sketch  of,  76 


89,  90;  Sketch  of,  93 

Snyder  (Schneider),  G.  W.,  3; 
Letter  to  Washington,  18,  113; 
Fac-simile  of  Letter,  119,  121; 
Sketch  of,  123 

South  Carolina  Grand  Lodge, 
Draft  of  Letter  to,  7,  17;  Cor 
respondence  with,  57;  Address 
to  Washington,  59;  Washing 
ton's  Reply,  59;  Original  Draft 
of  Reply,  61;  Fac-simile,  62,  63 

Sparks,  Jared,  9;  Letter  from,  10, 
129 

St.  John's  Lodge,  No.  2,  Newbern, 
N.  C.,  Address  and  Reply,  8, 
17;  Correspondence  with,  44; 
Resolution,  44;  Address  to 
Washington,  45;  Fac-Simile,  46, 
47 

Town,  Thomas,  90 
Thomas,  Isaiah,  104 

WASHINGTON,  GEORGE,  Master  of 
Lodge  while  President,  2; 
Masonic  Bodies  named  after,  3; 
Full  length  Portrait  in  London, 
4;  Copies  of  all  Masonic  Letters, 
5;  Letter  to  Paul  Revere,  7; 
Memory  attacked  by  Anti- 
Masons,  10;  At  Newport,  R.  I., 
1781,  14;  At  Providence,  R.  I., 
ib;  Report  on,  15;  As  Grand 
Master,  16;  Replies  to  Snyder, 
18;  Receives  Masonic  Orna 
ments  from  Watson  &  Cassoul, 
20;  Masonic  Apron  from  Lafa 
yette,  20;  Reply  to  Watson  & 
Cassoul,  21;  In  camp  at  New- 
burg,  21;  Resigns  his  commis 
sion  at  Annapolis,  28;  Returns 
to  Mount  Vernon,  ib;  Address 
from  Lodge  No.  39,  29;  Reply 
to  Lodge  No.  39,  30;  Fac-simile, 
31;  Invites  Washington  to  dine 


143 


with  the  Lodge,  34;  Acceptance, 
35;  Accepts  Honorary  Member 
ship,  ib;  Portrait  of  in  Alex 
andria  Lodge,  36;  Address  from 
King  David's  Lodge,  38 ;  Arrives 
at  Newport,  R.  I.,  42;  Provi 
dence,  ib;  Reply  to  King  David's 
Lodge,  ib;  Starts  on  Southern 
Tour,  44;  Reply  to  St.  John's 
Lodge,  49;  Arrives  at  George 
town,  S.  C.,  51;  Washington's 
Reply  to  Prince  George's  Lodge, 
56;  Arrives  at  Charleston,  S.  C., 
57;  Receives  Address  from 
Grand  Lodge  of  South  Caro 
lina,  58 ;  Washington's  Reply,  59 ; 
Calls  on  Mrs.  Nathaniel  Greene, 
65;  Receives  Address  from 
Grand  Lodge,  Georgia,  66; 
Leaves  Savannah,  68;  Replies  to 
Grand  Lodge  of  Georgia,  ib; 
Residence  in  Philadelphia,  69; 
Received  Address  from  Grand 
Lodge,  Pennsylvania,  71;  Reply 
73;  Master's  Jewel,  79;  Address 
from  Grand  Lodge,  Massa 
chusetts,  81;  Washington's  Re 
ply,  84;  Farewell  Address,  86; 
At  Philadelphia,  87;  Address 
from  Grand  Lodge,  Pennsyl 
vania,  88;  Washington  Receives 
Deputation,  90;  Reply,  91; 
Letters  counterfeited,  94;  Ar 
rives  at  Mount  Vernon,  95; 
Letter  &  Address  from  Alex 
andria  Lodge,  No.  22,  96 ;  Reply, 
97;  Dines  with  Lodge  No.  22, 
101 ;  Letter  to  Paul  Revere,  104 ; 
Draft  of  Reply  to  Grand 
Lodge  of  Massachusetts,  106; 
Lieutenant  General,  111;  At 


Baltimore,  ib;  Draft  of  Reply 
to  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland, 
113;  Reply,  115;  Sesqui-Centen- 
nial  Anniversary,  117;  Letter 
and  Book  from  G.  W.  Snyder, 
118;  Reply  to  Snyder's  Letter 
of  September  15,  1798,  123;  Ex 
planation  of,  125;  Member  of 
Alexandria  Lodge,  126;  Lays 
Corner-Stone  of  Capitol,  127; 
Masonic  Record  of,  ib.;  Tradi 
tions  of,  128;  Second  Letter 
from  Snyder,  129;  Washington's 
Reply,  130;  Refutation  of  the 
Anti-Masonic  Slanders,  131 ; 
Grand  Master  General,  132;  Ad 
dress  by  Army  Lodges,  134; 
Massachusetts  refuses  to  concur, 
136;  Universal  belief  that  Wash 
ington  was  Grand  Master  Gen 
eral,  137;  Medal  struck  as  such, 
139. 

Washington,  Lodges  in  United 
States,  3 

Watson  and  Cassoul,  Draft  and 
Letter  to,  7,  17;  Send  Masonic 
Apron  to  Washington,  19;  Reply 
to,  22;  Fac-simile  of  original 
Draft  to,  24,  25;  mention  of,  27 

Watson,  Elkanah,  19;  Letter  to 
Washington,  20,  27 

Warren,  John,  102 

Webb,  Joseph,  135 

Williams,  J.  Henry,  Authorization, 
iii;  mention  of,  4 

White,  Rev.  William,  Prayer  by, 
12 

Wise's  Tavern,  Alexandria,  35 

Williams,  William,  Paints  Wash 
ington's  Masonic  Portrait,  36 

White,  Isaac,  53 

Williams,  Otho,  134 


144 


RETURN     CIRCULATION  DEPARTMENT 

TO—  N*      202  Main  Library 

LOAN  PERIOD  1 
HOME  USE 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

ALL  BOOKS  MAY  BE  RECALLED  AFTER  7  DAYS 

1  -month  loans  may  be  renewed  by  calling  642-3405 

6-month  loans  may  be  recharged  by  bringing  books  to  Circulation  Desk 

Renewals  and  recharges  may  be  made  4  days  prior  to  due  date 

DUE  AS  STAMPED  BELOW 


IM     eTA/~i/ 

•^ 

»N  CMAVLA 

FFB     1  r 

J) 

x  -^ 

1    L.D          J.    Ki 

RFP,    CIR.      MAY        9    t 

180 

APR  *  9  {995 

Rec'dMou.    «w  161* 

5 

UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA,  BERKELEY 
FORM  NO.  DD6,  60m    11/78          BERKELEY,  CA  94720 

®s 


-'. 


U.  C.  BERKELEY  LIBRARIES 


322606 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 


•• 


mm  'm  mm  "mm 
" 


^ 


w  ;M 


iitfc^i^ifr'''v  '  -    li 

' 


''^^'''''^^^ 

I 


